a good alibi

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good alibi" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reason or explanation that justifies someone's actions or whereabouts, especially in a context involving potential wrongdoing or suspicion. Example: "He claimed he was at the movies during the time of the crime, which provided him with a good alibi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Its insistence that preachers should be interested only in saving souls – a good alibi for neglecting the material needs of the poor – has consistently been contradicted by their complicity in free markets and vocal opposition to abortion and gay rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

The two women denied ever having seen the girl - Squires even seemed to have a good alibi placing her in Dorset on the night of the kidnapping - and odd gaps and confusions in Canning's own account made the case a puzzling one.

The Guardian - Books

As I predicted earlier in the week, the OBR has given him this bad news, but it has also given the Chancellor a good alibi: it says the basic deterioration in Britain's economic health since 2010 is not his fault.

BBC

But now Neruda's death in 1973 is becoming a true murder mystery, with a tall, blue-eyed American (who is in hiding) named as the chief suspect — although he might have a good alibi.

Los Angeles Times

Yet he criticized U.S. sanctions, which gave "the government a good alibi to justify the failure of the totalitarian model in Cuba". Nor does isolation make any sense as a symbolic statement.

HuffPost

You are going to want to excuse yourself to the bathroom to clear your head or look something up on your phone, and drinking plenty of liquids provides a good alibi.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That is the message of psychologist G. Clotaire Rapaille in The Global Code: How a New Culture of Universal Values Is Reshaping Business and Marketing, where he writes that the emotions, or the "reptilian brain" as he calls it, is looking to the left-brain, logical cortex for a good excuse, or an "intellectual alibi," to give it what it wants.

Forbes

I happen to know he has a pretty good alibi for tonight".

The New York Times - Magazine

A somewhat similar dispute happened in 2002 at the University of Chicago, though its provost, Richard P. Saller, said the allegations were more vague and largely judged untrue - one professor had the very good alibi of being in Mongolia at the time of an alleged incident - and the resolution reasonably tidy.

The New York Times

Graham has turned himself into a bloke with a camera and a good if unlikely alibi.

The Guardian

A good benefit to your daytime slumber is creating an alibi or what I would call a "spotter".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good alibi", ensure the alibi is not only believable but also verifiable to avoid suspicion. Provide specific details and supporting evidence to strengthen its credibility.

Common error

Avoid providing a vague or generic alibi like "I was out with friends". Instead, offer specific details such as the names of the friends, the location, and the activities undertaken to make the alibi more convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good alibi" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes something that provides a justification or excuse for one's actions or whereabouts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it denotes a reason or explanation that can justify someone's actions or presence elsewhere, particularly when potential wrongdoing or suspicion arises.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good alibi" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase and serves to provide a credible defense or justification, often in situations involving potential accusations or suspicion. While its register is generally neutral, it is more commonly found in news and media contexts. To ensure its effectiveness, "a good alibi" should be specific, verifiable, and consistent, avoiding vague or generic claims. Alternatives include "a solid alibi", "a convincing alibi", and "a plausible alibi". Remember, providing truthful information is always the best course of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid alibi

Emphasizes the strength and reliability of the alibi.

a strong alibi

Highlights the robustness and defensibility of the alibi.

a convincing alibi

Focuses on the believability and persuasiveness of the alibi.

a plausible alibi

Suggests the alibi is believable and reasonable.

a credible alibi

Indicates the alibi is trustworthy and likely to be accepted.

an airtight alibi

Implies the alibi is flawless and impossible to disprove.

a verifiable alibi

Highlights that the alibi can be independently confirmed.

a satisfactory explanation

Shifts focus from legal defense to general justification.

a valid excuse

Broadens the scope to any reason that might be considered acceptable.

a legitimate reason

Focuses on the lawfulness and acceptability of the justification.

FAQs

How can I use "a good alibi" in a sentence?

You can use "a good alibi" to describe a convincing explanation of someone's whereabouts at a specific time. For instance, "He presented a good alibi, claiming he was at a conference during the robbery."

What are some alternatives to saying "a good alibi"?

Alternatives include "a solid alibi", "a convincing alibi", or "a plausible alibi", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What makes an alibi "good"?

A "good" alibi is credible, verifiable, and consistent. It should be supported by evidence or witnesses and leave no room for doubt about the person's location or activities at the time in question.

Is it ethical to create "a good alibi" if I'm not guilty?

Creating an alibi when innocent can be risky, as it might appear suspicious. It's generally advisable to provide truthful information and cooperate with any investigations, rather than fabricating an alibi.