explain away

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

From his earlier books he had learned that there was no “key” to a life, no Rosebud that could explain away all the mysteries of a Charles Foster Kane or a Vidia Naipaul, who died a decade later, in 2018.

From Washington Post

How does he undo the multiple, provable lies he has told over time, such as the claim that at times and places unknown, he secretly and magically de-classified top secret documents found at Mar-a-Lago, or explain away years of highly questionable conduct, such as asking Georgia’s top election official to “find 11,780 votes,” now under scrutiny by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis?

From Slate

“There’s no distraction of having to explain away this argument that doesn’t quite fit.”

From New York Times

CNN host Brianna Keilar on Saturday appeared to stump House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, as he tried to explain away Donald Trump's mounting legal troubles after the FBI searched the former president's Mar-a-Lago estate last Monday.

From Salon

Bad apologies try to justify or explain away wrongs, while good ones admit fault and convey, “It was wrong. … It won’t happen again. Please, forgive me,’” he said.

From Seattle Times