Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make an excuse: To give a reason or explanation, often false or exaggerated, to justify one's own action or inaction, or to avoid blame or an unwanted task.
   • To use as a pretext: To cite a specific reason, circumstance, or fact as the grounds for an action, typically to conceal the real motive.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta thường xuyên viện cớ bận để không tham gia các buổi họp. (He frequently makes the excuse of being busy to avoid attending meetings.)
  • Cô ấy viện cớ đau đầu để về nhà sớm. (She used a headache as a pretext to go home early.)
  • Đừng viện cớ nữa, hãy chịu trách nhiệm cho hành động của mình. (Stop making excuses and take responsibility for your actions.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a negative connotation, implying that the excuse is insincere, weak, or fabricated.
• It is commonly used in situations involving avoidance, justification, or evasion of responsibility.

Variants and Related Words

• Viện dẫn (v): To cite, to invoke (often used for quoting rules, laws, or authoritative sources, and is more formal/neutral than "viện cớ").
  • Luật sư viện dẫn điều luật mới để bảo vệ thân chủ. (The lawyer cited the new statute to defend his client.)

Synonyms

• To excuse oneself: To offer an excuse for one's behavior.
• To plead: To state something as a reason, especially in defense.
• To pretext: To use a pretended reason to conceal a real one.

Related Idioms

• Viện cớ tầm phào: To make a frivolous or ridiculous excuse.
  • Anh ấy toàn viện cớ tầm phào để trốn việc. (He always makes frivolous excuses to shirk work.)

verb

1. to reason