explain away
phrasal verbPart ofexplain
explain away — phrasal verb
1. to try to make a mistake or a bad situation seem less important by giving reason
1.phrasal verb
Definition
to try to make a mistake or a bad situation seem less important by giving reasons for it.
Example
Ilan tried to explain away the missing money, but no one believed him.
Salma could not explain away the coffee stain on her boss's report.