make an excuse — give a reason (often not true) to avoid something
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To say something, often not completely true, to explain why you cannot do something or why something happened.
Say it like a native
Textbook He fabricated a justification for his absence.
Native He made an excuse for not coming.
Natives 'make an excuse'; 'fabricate a justification' is heavy and legalistic.
Pattern: make an excuse (for something/for doing something)
In use
- He made an excuse about being sick so he could leave work early.daily life
- In my opinion, people often make an excuse when they want to avoid responsibility, especially at work or school.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Stop doing excuses.
✓ Stop making excuses.
You MAKE excuses, never 'do' them.
Common collocations
make an excuse— make, make excuses, a feeble excuse, for
Don't confuse it
Different from 'give a reason,' which can be honest; 'make an excuse' often suggests the reason may not be true.