Definition

1. Verb Phrase:
   • To use as a pretext / to use as an excuse: To give a reason for an action that is not the true or primary reason, often to conceal one's real motive or to avoid something.

Usage Examples

• Verb Phrase:
  • Anh ta mượn cớ nhức đầu để về sớm. (He used a headache as a pretext to leave early.)
  • Cô ấy mượn cớ nhà có việc để nghỉ học. (She used the pretext of a family matter to be absent from school.)
  • Đừng mượn cớ bận rộn để trốn tránh trách nhiệm. (Don't use being busy as an excuse to shirk responsibility.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies the excuse is insincere or fabricated. The real reason is hidden behind the stated one.
• It is commonly followed by an infinitive verb (để + verb) explaining the action taken under the false pretext.

Variants and Related Words

• Lấy cớ (v): to use as an excuse. A very close synonym.

  • Hắn lấy cớ mệt để không phải làm việc. (He used tiredness as an excuse not to work.)

• Viện cớ (v): to allege a reason, to plead an excuse. Slightly more formal.

  • Công ty viện cớ khó khăn kinh tế để cắt giảm nhân sự. (The company pleaded economic difficulties as a reason to downsize.)

Synonyms

• To pretext: To allege or offer as a pretext.
• To use as an excuse: To offer a justification, often a false or misleading one.

Related Idioms

• Mượn gió bẻ măng: To seize an opportunity (to do something, often negative). While not identical, it shares the concept of using an external situation for one's own purpose.
  • Hắn mượn gió bẻ măng, thừa cơ công ty hỗn loạn để trục lợi. (He seized the opportunity, taking advantage of the company's chaos for personal gain.)

1. Use as pretext, pretext
   • Mượn cớ nhà có việc để nghỉ học
     To use the pretext of a family business to be absent from school, to stay away from school on pretext of a family business