excuse; pretext; cover story
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
pretext; excuse; words used to conceal the truth
neutralOften carries a negative connotation, implying an attempt to disguise facts or evade responsibility. Commonly used in formal or written contexts.
Zhè这
zhǐ只
shì是
tā他
de的
shì饰
cí词
，
zhēn真
xiàng相
bìng并
fēi非
rú如
cǐ此
。
This is merely his excuse; the truth is quite different.
Bù不
yào要
yòng用
shì饰
cí词
lái来
yǎn掩
shì饰
nǐ你
de的
cuò错
wù误
。
Don't use pretexts to cover up your mistakes.
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Miàn面
duì对
zhì质
yí疑
，
tā他
zhǎo找
le了
xiē些
shì饰
cí词
lái来
táng搪
sè塞
。
When faced with questioning, he found some excuses to fob them off.
Tā他
de的
jiě解
shì释
tīng听
qǐ起
lái来
xiàng像
shì是
shì饰
cí词
，
quē缺
fá乏
shuō说
fú服
lì力
。
His explanation sounds like a cover story and lacks persuasiveness.