use as an excuse
use (someone or something) as an excuse (for something)
To create an excuse (for something) based on someone or something or what someone or something has done. I was getting really bored, so I used Tom's cold as an excuse for us to leave the party early. This is your last chance to show us you belong in this company, and you can't use the quality of your computer as an excuse this time.
See also: excuse, use
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
use someone or something as an excuse
to blame someone or something (for a failure). (See also use someone or something as something.) John used his old car as an excuse for not going to the meeting. My husband was sick in bed, and I used him as an excuse.
See also: excuse, use
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- use (someone or something) as an excuse (for something)
- ladies first
- excuse (one) for (something)
- excuse for
- excuse
- ignorance is no excuse
- ignorance of the law is no excuse
- ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it
- come the old soldier
- How much is (something)?