explain away
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ex·plain
(ĭk-splān′)v. ex·plained, ex·plain·ing, ex·plains
v.tr.
1. To make plain or comprehensible.
2. To define; expound: We explained our plan to the committee.
3.
a. To offer reasons for or a cause of; justify: explain an error.
b. To offer reasons for the actions, beliefs, or remarks of (oneself).
v.intr.
Phrasal Verb: To make something plain or comprehensible: Let me explain.
explain away
To dismiss or minimize the significance of (something) by means of an explanation or excuse: There is no way to explain away my carelessness.
[Middle English explanen, from Latin explānāre : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + plānus, clear; see pelə- in Indo-European roots.]
ex·plain′a·ble adj.
Synonyms: explain, elucidate, explicate, interpret, construe
These verbs mean to make the nature or meaning of something understandable. Explain is the most widely applicable: The professor used a diagram to explain the theory of continental drift. The manual explained how the new software worked. To elucidate is to throw light on something complex: "Man's whole life and environment have been laid open and elucidated" (Thomas Carlyle).
Explicate implies detailed and usually learned and lengthy exploration or analysis: "Ordinary language philosophers tried to explicate the standards of usage" (Jerrold J. Katz).
To interpret is to reveal the underlying meaning of something by the application of special knowledge or insight: "A radiologist can interpret images made in Saudi Arabia and beamed to Boston, sending back a diagnosis within hours" (Richard Saltus).
Construe involves putting a particular construction or interpretation on something: "I take the official oath today ... with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules" (Abraham Lincoln).
These verbs mean to make the nature or meaning of something understandable. Explain is the most widely applicable: The professor used a diagram to explain the theory of continental drift. The manual explained how the new software worked. To elucidate is to throw light on something complex: "Man's whole life and environment have been laid open and elucidated" (Thomas Carlyle).
Explicate implies detailed and usually learned and lengthy exploration or analysis: "Ordinary language philosophers tried to explicate the standards of usage" (Jerrold J. Katz).
To interpret is to reveal the underlying meaning of something by the application of special knowledge or insight: "A radiologist can interpret images made in Saudi Arabia and beamed to Boston, sending back a diagnosis within hours" (Richard Saltus).
Construe involves putting a particular construction or interpretation on something: "I take the official oath today ... with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules" (Abraham Lincoln).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
explain away
vb
(tr, adverb) to offer excuses or reasons for (bad conduct, mistakes, etc)
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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explain
verb1. To make understandable:
Archaic: enucleate.
Idiom: put into plain English.
2. To find a solution for:
Informal: dope out, figure out.
Idiom: get to the bottom of.
3. To offer reasons for or a cause of:
explain away
To conceal or make light of a fault or offense:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
يَجِد التفسير
bortforklare
kimagyaráz
açıklama yaparak sıyrılmak
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
explain
(ikˈsplein) verb1. to make (something) clear or easy to understand. Can you explain the railway timetable to me?; Did she explain why she was late?
2. to give, or be, a reason for. I cannot explain his failure; That explains his silence.
explanation (ekspləˈneiʃən) noun1. the act or process of explaining. Let me give a few words of explanation.
2. a statement or fact that explains. There are several possible explanations for the explosion.
exˈplanatory (-ˈsplӕnə-) adjective giving an explanation. There are explanatory notes in this book.
explain away to get rid of (difficulties etc) by clever explaining. She could not explain away the missing money.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.