Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To find a pretext / to make an excuse: The act of inventing or seeking a reason, often a false or misleading one, to justify an action, explain a failure, or avoid a responsibility.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Lúc nào cũng kiếm cớ để nghỉ. (He/She always finds a pretext for absence from work.)
  • Đừng kiếm cớ nữa, hãy thừa nhận lỗi của mình. (Stop making excuses, admit your mistake.)
  • Cô ấy kiếm cớ bận việc để không phải đi dự tiệc. (She made the excuse of being busy to avoid going to the party.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies the excuse is insincere, fabricated, or a deliberate evasion. It carries a slightly negative connotation of dishonesty or avoidance.

Variants and Related Words

• Viện cớ (v): to plead an excuse, to use something as a pretext. This is a close synonym, often used in more formal contexts.

  • Anh ta viện cớ đau đầu để về sớm. (He pleaded a headache as an excuse to leave early.)

• Bào chữa (v): to defend, to justify. This focuses more on arguing in defense of an action, not necessarily finding a false pretext.

  • Luật sư bào chữa cho thân chủ. (The lawyer defended his client.)

Synonyms

• To make up an excuse: To invent a false reason.
• To find a pretext: To seek a reason, often ostensible, to conceal the real motive.
• To alibi (oneself) (informal): To provide an excuse or defense.

Related Idioms

• Kiếm cớ thoái thác: To find a pretext to shirk/evade (a duty).
  • Hắn luôn kiếm cớ thoái thác nhiệm vụ khó khăn. (He always finds a pretext to shirk difficult tasks.)

1. Find a pretext
   • Lúc nào cũng kiếm cớ để nghỉ
     To always find a pretext for absence from work