poor excuse

Please, Democrats—just say that—then pass this poor excuse of a bill.

"A mighty poor excuse of one I call him," said the young man with decision.

The Germans themselves had only a poor excuse for what they had done.

To attribute all the conceits of this period to the influence of Dr. Donne is but a poor excuse after all.

At best, the ancient yawl was but a poor excuse for a ship; now, at her worst, she was little more than a raft.

He felt foolishly helpless and inefficient--rather a poor excuse for a partner, just then.