explain away
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle away
Meanings
Give reasons that make a problem seem less serious
Why “away”? Something slowly becomes weaker until it is gone.
“He tried to explain away the mistake.”
“She explained away the delay as bad traffic.”
Test yourself
“He tried to explain away the mistake.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
chip away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually reduce something a little at a time
die away
Same away pattern: fading
Lose intensity until silent
drift away
Same away pattern: fading
Slip out of awareness slowly; Gradually lose contact with a person or group
eat away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually destroy something by erosion or worry
ebb away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually weaken or recede
fade away
Same away pattern: fading
Gradually become less visible, audible or strong
fall away
Same away pattern: fading
Decrease in number or amount
fritter away
Same away pattern: fading
Waste time, money or opportunities little by little
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