n.
1.a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
2.a note explaining an absence
3.a poor example excuse v.
1.accept an excuse for
2.grant exemption or release to
3.serve as a reason or cause or justification of
4.defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
5.ask for permission to be released from an engagement
6.excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
Idiom of the Day
nose (someone) out or nose out (someone)
to push someone away, to exclude someone
The famous basketball player nosed out the other players to become the best player in the league.