a thousand excuses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thousand excuses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express frustration or disbelief at the numerous justifications someone is giving for their actions or behavior. Example: "Every time I ask him to help, he comes up with a thousand excuses for why he can't."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

What happened?" After many years of doing interviews, I've heard a thousand excuses.

The New York Times

It means doing little to confront crimes against humanity; realism gives a president a thousand excuses for inaction.

The New York Times

Sleepless, she has all the time in the world to recall the looks of doubt and evil that often come to crowd his eyes and for which she once made a thousand excuses.

The New Yorker

Megawati takes charge Why Doha matters A step back from the precipice The ardour cools Reprints Related items World trade: Playing games with prosperityJul 26th 2001 Russia and the WTO: Playing by the rulesJul 26th 2001That will not stop a thousand excuses being offered between here and Doha.

The Economist

And the third great enemy is your fears and insecurities that paralyze you in life and convince you through a thousand excuses why you cannot achieve your dreams.

Huffington Post

Companies will find a thousand excuses not to engage, but Vaynerchuk uses real-life case histories to illustrate those that have, and won, and those that haven't, and are losing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"You can make a million excuses, but in the end you have to serve your customers".

The New York Times

There will be a million excuses why it can't be done, but not a single good reason.

The New Yorker

"Seattle's a great team, well-coached, a difficult place to play, turf–- you could make a million excuses.

The Guardian - Sport

"If Oscar wants to hesitate, play games and make a million excuses not to do it, we'll take Vargas in a heartbeat.

The New York Times - Sports

There are a hundred excuses why not to make and preserve your own strawberry jam, but none are better than the reasons you should.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the tone you want to convey. It can be used humorously or with serious frustration, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "a thousand excuses" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "numerous justifications" or "endless rationalizations" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thousand excuses" functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb (e.g., 'make', 'give', 'offer'). It is used to describe a situation where someone provides numerous justifications, typically to avoid blame or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express frustration or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a thousand excuses" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys frustration or disbelief at the sheer number of justifications someone offers, often implying insincerity. While relatively uncommon, it appears primarily in news and media contexts, with occasional usage in more informal settings. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "countless justifications" or "numerous pretexts". Remember, the tone of "a thousand excuses" can range from humorous to exasperated, so choose your words carefully to best convey your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

innumerable justifications

Similar to 'countless justifications', emphasizing that the number is too high to count.

countless justifications

Emphasizes the sheer number of justifications provided, focusing on the abundance.

endless rationalizations

Highlights the act of justifying or explaining, suggesting a continuous stream of reasons.

a litany of excuses

Implies a tedious and repetitive list of excuses.

unending stream of justifications

Emphasizes that the stream or flow of justifications is continuous and seemingly without end.

a multitude of alibis

Specifically refers to defenses against accusations, implying a deceptive intent.

an avalanche of reasons

Conveys the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of the reasons.

numerous pretexts

Focuses on false or insincere reasons given to conceal the real motive.

an array of explanations

Implies a structured or organized presentation of reasons.

a host of reasons

Highlights the large number of reasons or justifications.

FAQs

How can I use "a thousand excuses" in a sentence?

You can use "a thousand excuses" to express frustration with someone who provides many reasons for not fulfilling a responsibility. For example, "He gave "a thousand excuses" for not finishing the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "a thousand excuses"?

Alternatives to "a thousand excuses" include "countless justifications", "endless rationalizations", or "numerous pretexts".

Is it appropriate to use "a thousand excuses" in formal writing?

While "a thousand excuses" is grammatically correct, it may be more suitable for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using a more neutral phrase like "numerous reasons" or "extensive justifications".

What's the difference between "a thousand excuses" and "a million excuses"?

Both phrases convey a large number of justifications, but "a million excuses" suggests an even greater and perhaps hyperbolic amount. The choice depends on the degree of exaggeration you want to express.