This is what I thought... there are brits in the comments saying they have used this phrase in this way many times.
That said, it is a little odd that it made it through 3 reviewers, none of whom objected or got clarification — or if they did, it's not on the record. (edit: which/whom)
That it made it through the reviewers suggests the rigor of the review process. :-) Was this a major journal?
I also wondered if there was something less nefarious in the explanation. Was it "Falsify some results" or "Toss up some BS about this topic". The latter is bad, but part of the academic paper business. The first is career ending.
That said, it is a little odd that it made it through 3 reviewers, none of whom objected or got clarification — or if they did, it's not on the record. (edit: which/whom)