explain away

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to offer excuses or reasons for (bad conduct, mistakes, etc)

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explain away Idioms  

1. Dismiss or minimize the importance of something, especially something detrimental. For example, “His words were taken down, and though he tried to explain them away, he was sent to the Tower” (Thomas Macaulay, The History of England, 1855). [c. 1700]

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Example Sentences

Collagen is the primary structural protein found in bone tissue and one of the hardest biomolecules to explain away as contamination when identified in this context.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

Jean doesn’t try to explain away the contradiction.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

One of them attempted to explain away her condition by claiming it was difficult to speak when reporting from cold climates.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

“If you have to go through such mental and verbal gymnastics to explain away what this man said, how does he deserve a day of remembrance?”

From Salon • Feb. 16, 2026

Lies were told and then exposed, begetting more lies to explain away the initial deceptions.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• justify