explain away
US /ɪkˈspleɪn əˈweɪ/
UK /ɪkˈspleɪn əˈweɪ/
1.
explicar, justificar
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.
Ele tentou explicar sua ausência dizendo que estava doente.
•
Her strange behavior couldn't be explained away easily.
Seu comportamento estranho não pôde ser facilmente explicado.