exˌplain sth aˈway

exˌplain sth aˈway
phrasal verb
to tell someone about something in a way that makes it seem unimportant, so that they do not ask questions about it
She made up stories to explain away the missing money.[/ex]

Dictionary for writing and speaking English. 2014.

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  • plain — 1 /pleIn/ adjective 1 CLEAR very clear, and easy to understand or recognize; obvious (1): He spoke in Russian, but his message was plain enough. | it is plain (that): It was plain that management policies would have to change. | as plain as… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • fine — fine1 W1S1 [faın] adj ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(acceptable)¦ 2¦(healthy)¦ 3¦(very good)¦ 4¦(weather)¦ 5¦(narrow)¦ 6¦(delicate)¦ 7¦(small)¦ 8¦(bad)¦ 9¦(speech/words)¦ 10 a fine man/woman etc …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • fine — 1 /faIn/ adjective 1 ALL RIGHT especially spoken a) good enough; all right: “I could make you some dinner if you like.” “It s okay, a sandwich is fine, thanks.” | This apartment is fine for two, but it gets very cramped with your mother here. | I …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • touch — touch1 W2S2 [tʌtʃ] v ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(feel)¦ 2¦(no space between)¦ 3 touch something to something 4¦(affect somebody s feelings)¦ 5¦(have an effect)¦ 6¦(use)¦ 7 not touch something 8 not touch somebody/something 9¦(deal with somebody/something)¦ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • mark — mark1 W2S3 [ma:k US ma:rk] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(dirt)¦ 2¦(damaged area)¦ 3¦(coloured area)¦ 4¦(writing)¦ 5¦(level/number)¦ 6¦(student s work)¦ 7 full/top marks for effort/trying/persistence etc 8 high/low mark 9 make/leave your …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • cover — cov|er1 W1S1 [ˈkʌvə US ər] v [T] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(hide/protect)¦ 2¦(layer)¦ 3¦(include)¦ 4¦(distance)¦ 5¦(area)¦ 6¦(news)¦ 7¦(money)¦ 8¦(insurance)¦ 9¦(guns)¦ 10¦(sport)¦ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • cover — 1 verb (T) 1 PUT STH OVER STH also cover up to put something over the top of something in order to hide or protect it: Cover the pan when the sauce boils and let it simmer. | cover sth with sth: They covered the tables with clean white cloths. 2… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • mark — 1 verb 1 MAKE A MARK (I, T) to make a mark on something in a way that spoils its appearance, or to become spoiled in this way: We were careful not to mark the paintwork. | The disease had marked her face for life. | It s a beautiful table, but it …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • nose — nose1 W2S2 [nəuz US nouz] n ↑ear, ↑nose, ↑tooth, ↑eye ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(on your face)¦ 2 (right) under somebody s nose 3 stick/poke your nose into something 4 keep your nose out (of something) 5 turn your nose up (at something) 6 with your nose in the… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • well — 1 /wel/ adverb comparative better superlative best 1 SATISFACTORILY in a successful or satisfactory way: Did you sleep well? | James reads well for his age. | fairly/moderately/pretty well (=quite well) | go well (=happen in the way you planned… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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