What Does โExplain sth awayโ Mean?
โExplain sth awayโ means to try to make a problem or mistake seem less serious by giving an excuse or explanation. It often implies that the explanation may not fully solve the issue.
Introduction
The phrasal verb โexplain sth awayโ is commonly used when someone wants to reduce the importance of a problem, mistake, or unusual event by providing an explanation. The โsthโ here stands for โsomething,โ so it means to explain something away. This phrase often suggests that the explanation might be weak or just a way to avoid taking responsibility. Understanding the explain sth away meaning helps learners use it correctly in daily conversations, especially in situations involving excuses or justifications. It is a useful expression in both formal and informal contexts, helping speakers describe how people try to dismiss or minimize issues.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: explain something away
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to try to make a problem or fault seem less serious by giving an explanation
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โExplain sth awayโ is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- Explain something away
- Explain away something
Both forms are correct, but โexplain something awayโ is more common in everyday speech.
How to Use โExplain sth awayโ?
Use โexplain sth awayโ when you want to describe how someone tries to reduce the importance of a negative event or mistake by giving an explanation. It often carries a tone that the explanation may not be enough or fully convincing.
It is commonly used in past tense or present perfect when discussing specific incidents, but it can be used in any tense.
Examples
Imagine a situation where a student arrives late to class and tries to justify it. You could say:
- He tried to explain his lateness away by saying the bus was delayed.
- She explained away the mistake by blaming a technical error.
- They explained the problem away as a simple misunderstanding.
- Donโt try to explain your poor results away with excuses.
- The manager explained away the budget issue by pointing to unexpected costs.
These examples show how people use explanations to reduce blame or seriousness.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes misuse โexplain awayโ by placing the object incorrectly or using it in the wrong context.
- Incorrect: He explain away the problem.
- Correct: He explained the problem away.
- Incorrect: She explained away because she was late.
- Correct: She explained her lateness away.
Remember that โexplain awayโ needs an object (something) between or after the verb and particle.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include โbrush off,โ โtalk away,โ and โwrite off,โ but they have different meanings.
- Explain sth away focuses on giving an excuse to reduce the importance of a problem.
- Brush off means to ignore or dismiss something without explanation.
- Write off means to consider something a failure or loss.
- Talk away is less common and means to discuss something until it seems less important.
Use โexplain sth awayโ when the focus is on providing an explanation to avoid blame.
Common Collocations
People often explain away the following:
- Mistakes: Trying to reduce the seriousness of errors.
- Problems: Minimizing difficulties or issues.
- Delays: Justifying lateness or slow progress.
- Failures: Offering reasons for unsuccessful outcomes.
- Accidents: Trying to lessen responsibility for mishaps.
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โexplain sth awayโ:
Anna: Why were you late to the meeting?
John: I tried to explain it away by saying there was heavy traffic.
Anna: It happens, but next time please call me.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of โexplain awayโ:
- She __________ her mistake __________ by blaming the software.
- They tried to __________ the delay __________ with a power outage.
- Donโt __________ your poor grades __________ with excuses.
FAQs
- Q: Is โexplain sth awayโ formal or informal?
A: It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in everyday speech.
- Q: Can โexplain awayโ be used without an object?
A: No, it requires an object to explain away something.
- Q: What is the difference between โexplain awayโ and โexplainโ?
A: โExplain awayโ means to reduce the seriousness of a problem by giving an excuse, while โexplainโ simply means to give information or reasons.
- Q: Can โexplain awayโ be used in all tenses?
A: Yes, it can be used in any tense depending on the context.
- Q: Is โexplain sth awayโ separable?
A: Yes, the object can be placed between โexplainโ and โawayโ or after โaway.โ
