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Meaning & use

making up excuses

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ˌmeɪkɪŋ ʌp ɪkˈskjuːzɪz/
US/ˌmeɪkɪŋ ʌp ɪkˈskjuːzɪz/

Meaning

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    The act of inventing reasons or explanations to avoid blame or responsibility.

    Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; the verb 'make' is in the -ing form.

    Patterns

    • making up excuses for something
    • making up excuses to do something

    He's always making up excuses for being late.

    Stop making up excuses and tell me the truth.

    She was making up excuses to avoid going to the party.

Common combinations

making up excuses for
He is constantly making up excuses for his mistakes.
making up excuses to avoid
They were making up excuses to avoid the meeting.
always making up excuses
She's always making up excuses for not helping.

Synonyms and how they differ

inventing reasons
Similar meaning, but 'inventing reasons' can be neutral or positive, while 'making up excuses' often implies avoiding blame.
fabricating excuses
More formal and stronger; 'fabricating' suggests deliberate lying, while 'making up' can be less serious.

Opposites

taking responsibilityowning up

Word family

excuse noun
A reason given to explain or defend one's actions.
make up phrasal verb
To invent something, such as a story or excuse.

Commonly confused: making up excuses or making excuses?

making up excuses vs making excuses

Similar, but 'making up excuses' emphasizes inventing them, while 'making excuses' can simply mean giving reasons.

Practice

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