I am looking for a colloquial expression that denotes someone's behavior when they disregard the fact that they have lost an argument or that one has found a flaw in their logic or that they are plain wrong, and go on to present weak repostes to save face such as to blame the problem on outside influences or circumstances. I need a colloquialism because I guess in formal language you could say 'someone does something in bad faith' when they are being disingenuous or dishonest. I can think of 'grasping at straws'. Eg: John, stop grasping at straws, we know it wasn't the dog that knocked over the vase.
Maybe there isn't one expression to cover all scenarios; just in case, as further aid the French might say someone is 'de mauvaise foi'. But it is said jokingly and not accusingly, to mean 'it's only too obvious what you're doing, just give up already!'
Learn English – Word Choice: Colloquial or idiomatic expression for being in denial about being proved wrong
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Best Answer
John, is arguing on - refusing to throw in the towel, but we know it wasn't the dog that knocked over the vase.