33 Metaphors for excuses

The truth of the matter is, that they were only too eager for some pretext upon which to base the assertion that it was the English who began hostilities, and this flimsy excuse was the best they could invent.

His excuse for following was the bag, his reason for leaving the volcanic condition of its owner's temper, coupled with the fact that he appeared to be sublimely ignorant that the most devoted steward in the world was tagging faithfully along a yard or two in the rear.

Deeply impressed as I am with the full conviction that you deserve the very best Japan ink, the only excuse I can make to you is the following.

He knew very well that Delamere's excuse was a lie.

All these excuses are no excuse at all.

In this reconstruction much quaintness of language, as well as appeal to probability, may have been lost, and for this my only excuse is the necessity of thus making the story readable.

Ascham never had a robust or vigorous body, and his excuse for so many hours of diversion was his inability to endure a long continuance of sedentary thought.

" "John," the King sternly replied, "the loyal service you have done us is considerable, whereas your excuse for kidnapping Davie is a farce.

When I'm late for school, The excuse 'twill be my mother, Sir; And when that one won't do, I'll try and make another, Sir.

There is much to excuse what this letter to Congreve plainly betrays; but excuse is not justification.

The most valable excuse in favour of the revolt of the 18th of March was certainly the suppression of several journals by General Vinoy, with the consent of M. Thiers.

Excuses are the badge of all the angling tribe.

Mr. STANLEY's excuse was pressure of business in preparing for his American tour.

My only excuse is, a want of that faculty of the brain whichuniting memory, that is to say, the heart, with criticism, which is the intellectis able to embody with the lips, or the pen, such figures as have appeared upon the horizon of life.

The excuse which Endo Zamptâ must accept" (with a slight but perceptible emphasis on the imperative) "is the utter difference between our laws and ideas and your own.

My noble brother, my excuse Is my King's strict command, which you my Lord Can witness with me.

His excuse for being was a genius for music.

"Do you think that these written excuses are, after all, a fair test of the real reasons for tardiness?

"I am come, Mr. Calvert," she said, at length, hurriedly, and in so constrained a tone that he could scarcely hear her, "I am come on an errand for which the sole excuse is your own nobility.

What an excuse for them to blaspheme the holy name whereby we are called, and ask, as of old, 'Is this then the Gospel of Peace?

Napoleon's excuse for participation was the murder of a missionary in Kwangsi; but his real motive was a desire to checkmate Great Britain, and prevent the conquest of new territory.

The only possible excuse that can be urged, either by nurse or mother, for this culpable practice, is the plea of imparting warmth to the infant.

" "I am not to be deceived by so idle a pretext," said the King, who readily detected that the alleged excuse was a mere subterfuge; "you have no such scruples, but you have resolved not to reveal to me what you have ascertained, lest I should discover the fallacy of your pretended knowledge or be angered by your prediction.

His excuse for following was the bag, his reason for leaving the volcanic condition of its owner's temper, coupled with the fact that he appeared to be sublimely ignorant that the most devoted steward in the world was tagging faithfully along a yard or two in the rear.

Her invariable excuse has been her lack of time.

33 Metaphors for  excuses