excuse · n
excuse (REASON)
B1 a reason that you give to explain why you did something wrong
Dictionary examples:
My dog ate my homework is the oldest excuse in the book. (0.0)
His excuse for oversleeping? His alarm clock ran out of batteries. (0.0)
What's your excuse for not studying? Did your textbooks go on vacation? (0.0)
What was his excuse for being late? (17.7)
He'd better have a good excuse for not being here! (18.7)
There's no excuse for that sort of behavior. (25.9)
I've never known him to miss a meeting - I'm sure he'll have an excuse. (34.6)
excuse (FALSE REASON)
B1 a false reason that you give to explain why you do something
Dictionary examples:
My dog ate my homework is the oldest excuse in the book. (0.0)
Her excuse for not exercising was that her cat needed emotional support. (0.0)
His excuse for not texting back? His thumbs were on strike. (0.0)
Nick was just looking for an excuse to call her. (19.1)
He'll give any excuse for taking a day off. (24.2)