Definition

Noun: A formal or insistent request for clarification or justification of a statement, action, or situation. It is a challenge that requires someone to defend, elaborate on, or account for what they have said or done.

Usage

This noun phrase is used to describe the act of asking for a reason or a detailed account. It implies that the initial statement or action is unclear, questionable, or insufficient, and therefore requires further elaboration from the person responsible. It often carries a formal or confrontational tone.

Examples

• The journalist's sharp question was a clear demand for explanation regarding the minister's contradictory statements.
• The sudden change in company policy led to a demand for explanation from the employees' union.
• When the error was discovered, the client issued a demand for explanation to the software developer.

Advanced Usage

• "to issue a demand for explanation": To formally present or state a request for clarification.
  • The committee issued a formal demand for explanation to the project leader.
• "in response to a demand for explanation": As an answer to a request for justification.
  • The report was published in response to public demands for explanation.

Variants and Related Words

• Explanation (n): A statement or account that makes something clear.
• Justification (n): The action of showing something to be right or reasonable.
• Clarification (n): The action of making a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible.
• Accountability (n): The fact or condition of being responsible; obligation to explain or justify one's actions.

Synonyms

• Call for justification
• Request for clarification
• Challenge
• Interrogation

Related Phrases

• To demand an explanation: The verbal action of insisting on a clarification.
  • The shareholders demanded an explanation for the financial losses.
• To owe someone an explanation: To have a responsibility to provide clarification to someone.
  • After missing the meeting, he owed his team an explanation.

Related Idioms

• "To be called on the carpet": (Idiom) To be summoned for a reprimand or to give an explanation, typically by someone in authority. This idiom implies a demand for explanation in a disciplinary context.
  • The manager was called on the carpet by the director to explain the project's failure.

Noun

1. a challenge to defend what someone has said