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Meaning & use

feeble as an excuse

phrase·Advanceddisapproving

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UK/ˌfiːbl əz ən ɪkˈskjuːs/
US/ˌfiːbl əz ən ɪkˈskjuːs/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meaning

  1. phrasefixed phrasedisapproving

    So weak or unconvincing that it cannot be accepted as a reason for something.

    Grammar: Used after linking verbs like be, seem, sound: His reason was feeble as an excuse.

    Patterns

    • be feeble as an excuse
    • sound feeble as an excuse

    Saying he forgot his alarm was feeble as an excuse for missing the meeting.

    Her apology sounded feeble as an excuse for the delay.

    That explanation is feeble as an excuse for breaking the rules.

Common combinations

sound feeble as an excuse
His story sounded feeble as an excuse for being late.
be feeble as an excuse
Traffic is feeble as an excuse when you leave so late.
seem feeble as an excuse
The note seemed feeble as an excuse for missing class.
a feeble excuse
She gave a feeble excuse and left early.

Synonyms and how they differ

weak as an excuse
Very similar, but "weak" is more neutral and common in everyday speech.
poor excuse
Means an excuse of low quality; slightly less formal than "feeble as an excuse".

Opposites

convincing as an excusevalid excuse

Word family

feeble adjective
Weak or lacking strength, often used of people, efforts, or arguments.
feebly adverb
In a weak or ineffective way.

Commonly confused: feeble as an excuse or feeble excuse?

feeble as an excuse vs feeble excuse

"Feeble excuse" is a noun phrase; "feeble as an excuse" is a comparative phrase saying something is weak when used as an excuse.

Practice

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