a flimsy excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flimsy excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a justification or reason that is weak, unconvincing, or lacking in substance. Example: "His claim that he missed the meeting due to traffic was just a flimsy excuse for his lack of preparation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It sounds like a flimsy excuse.

The Washington Post

Most Australians thought the dingo was a flimsy excuse.

The New York Times

But human rights advocates called this a flimsy excuse to increase pressure on him.

The New York Times

She dismissed fears over who might one day control Syria as a flimsy excuse.

The New York Times

Today, the theme seems hardly more than a flimsy excuse to end a long first act.

The New York Times

At the mere mention of a water-related activity, I immediately crafted a flimsy excuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

IT is summer, when some of us will look for any flimsy excuse to be outside.

The New York Times - Arts

Although, in truth, I have used any flimsy excuse to tell my war stories from the porno trenches.

The New York Times - Books

This is an obviously flimsy excuse, a convenient way to avoid dealing with the real sources of Israel's policies toward the Palestinians.

HuffPost

The White House explained to me that it would be "unprecedented" for Mr. Obama to repeat a position that was already on the public record, but that strikes me as a fairly flimsy excuse.

The New York Times

He plays women and men, young and old and it's a genuine treat to watch him cavort, even if the film is ultimately a rather flimsy excuse.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a flimsy excuse", ensure the context clearly indicates that the excuse is not only weak but also potentially deceptive or intended to conceal the real reason.

Common error

While "a flimsy excuse" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "an unsubstantiated rationale" or "a specious justification" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flimsy excuse" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of the excuse, indicating that it is weak, unconvincing, or lacking substance. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a flimsy excuse" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a weak or unconvincing justification. As shown by Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media contexts to express skepticism about stated reasons or explanations. While acceptable in general writing, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional settings. It's important to remember that using this phrase implies the excuse is not only weak but potentially dishonest. When writing, ensure that the context clearly supports this connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a weak excuse

Replaces "flimsy" with a more direct synonym, "weak", maintaining the same meaning.

a poor excuse

Substitutes "flimsy" with "poor", emphasizing the inadequacy of the excuse.

a thin excuse

Uses "thin" instead of "flimsy", highlighting the lack of substance in the excuse.

a lame excuse

Replaces "flimsy" with "lame", suggesting the excuse is unoriginal and unconvincing.

an unconvincing justification

Rephrases the entire expression to focus on the lack of persuasiveness in the justification.

a feeble justification

Similar to 'a weak excuse' but using a more formal word like "feeble".

a transparent pretext

Replaces "excuse" with "pretext" to emphasize the hidden motive, and "flimsy" with "transparent" to show it's easily seen through.

a shallow explanation

Focuses on the superficiality of the explanation provided as an excuse.

a threadbare alibi

Uses "threadbare" to describe the worn-out and unconvincing nature of the alibi.

a ridiculous justification

Suggests a ludicrous level of implausibility to the reasoning or support.

FAQs

How can I use "a flimsy excuse" in a sentence?

You can use "a flimsy excuse" to describe a weak or unconvincing justification. For example, "His claim about traffic was "a flimsy excuse" for being late."

What are some synonyms for "a flimsy excuse"?

Some synonyms for "a flimsy excuse" include "a weak excuse", "a poor excuse", or "a thin excuse".

Is it appropriate to use "a flimsy excuse" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a flimsy excuse" might be too informal for certain contexts. Consider using alternatives like "an unsubstantiated rationale" or "a specious justification".

What's the difference between "a flimsy excuse" and "a reasonable excuse"?

"A flimsy excuse" implies that the justification is weak and unconvincing, while "a reasonable excuse" suggests that the justification is valid and acceptable.