1. : to get rid of by or as if by explanation
was trying to speak some words that … would explain away all the mistakes and misunderstandings of life — Ellen Glasgow
2. : to minimize the significance of by or as if by explanation
evidence which it was hard to explain away — A.G.N.Flew
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explain away
To modify the force of by explanation, generally in a bad sense
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Main Entry: ↑explain
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ex ˌplain a ˈway [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they explain away he/she/it explains away present participle explaining away past tense explained away past participle explained away] phrasal verb
to tell someone about something in a way that makes them think it is unimportant, so that they do not ask questions about it
She made up stories to explain away the missing money.
Thesaurus: to give a reason or excuse for somethingsynonym
Main entry: explain
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explain away [phrasal verb]
1 : to make (something) seem less important by telling how it happened, what caused it, etc.
It will be hard for his lawyers to explain away this new evidence.
2 : to give a reason for (a fault, a mistake, etc.) so that you will not be blamed for it
They've tried to explain away the delays, citing computer problems.
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Main Entry: ↑explain
Useful english dictionary. 2012.