EXPLAIN AWAY


Meaning of EXPLAIN AWAY in English

If someone explains away a mistake or a bad situation they are responsible for, they try to indicate that it is unimportant or that it is not really their fault.

He evaded her questions about the war and tried to explain away the atrocities...

I had noticed blood on my husband’s clothing but he explained it away.

PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron) , V n P

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.