explain away

explain away

verb

Definition of EXPLAIN AWAY

transitive verb

1

: to get rid of by or as if by explanation

2

: to minimize the significance of by or as if by explanation <explains his faults, but does not try to explain them away — M. K. Spears>

Examples of EXPLAIN AWAY

1. <after the surprise attack, military leaders struggled to explain away the nation's unpreparedness>
2. <tried to explain away his adulterous affairs by saying that men are promiscuous by nature>

First Known Use of EXPLAIN AWAY

1704

Related to EXPLAIN AWAY

Synonyms: account (for), attribute, explain, rationalize

Related Words: condone, excuse, forgive, justify; absolve, acquit, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

see all synonyms and antonyms

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