explain away
US /ɪkˈspleɪn əˈweɪ/
UK /ɪkˈspleɪn əˈweɪ/

1.
giustificare, spiegare
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.
Ha cercato di giustificare la sua assenza dicendo che era malato.
•
Her strange behavior couldn't be explained away easily.
Il suo strano comportamento non poteva essere facilmente spiegato.