explain away
US /ɪkˈspleɪn əˈweɪ/
UK /ɪkˈspleɪn əˈweɪ/
1.
expliquer, justifier
to account for something in a way that makes it seem less serious or bad
:
•
He tried to explain away his absence by saying he was sick.
Il a essayé d'expliquer son absence en disant qu'il était malade.
•
Her strange behavior couldn't be explained away easily.
Son comportement étrange ne pouvait pas être facilement expliqué.