feeble excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeble excuse" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an excuse or justification that is weak or unconvincing. Typically, this phrase is used to convey disappointment, disapproval, or skepticism towards someone's excuse. Example: John's feeble excuse for not completing his project on time was that he "forgot" about it, even though he had been reminded multiple times.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

This is a nonsensical and feeble excuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is a feeble excuse for their inaction to date.

The Guardian - Opinion

The-times-they-are-a-changin' is a feeble excuse for disregard of duty.

Cornell University

He makes and breaks dates for a chat, eventually offering a feeble excuse and hanging up.

The Economist

It's a pretty feeble excuse for building a new generation of nukes, but it worked.

The Guardian

Her entry into dressmaking was an accident (though her family still finds that a feeble excuse).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Miliband said: "These are pathetic, feeble excuses.

The Guardian

Too many aid agencies have accepted feeble excuses for delaying mandatory primary education.

The New York Times

He made some feeble excuses that turned out to be untrue, and blamed election clerks in Utah for his troubles.

The Economist

"THESE are pathetic, feeble excuses!" roared Ed Miliband, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, across the floor of the House of Commons.

The Economist

The feeble excuses for keeping stolen or seized art treasures in former imperial capitals are becoming ever more feeble.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeble excuse" to express your skepticism or disagreement with a presented justification, highlighting its weakness.

Common error

Avoid using "feeble excuse" when a neutral or more understanding tone is needed. It carries a strong connotation of disbelief and can be overly critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble excuse" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "feeble" modifies the noun "excuse". It describes a particular type of excuse characterized by its weakness or inadequacy, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feeble excuse" is a common phrase used to describe an excuse that is unconvincing and weak. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and often used in contexts such as news and media and academia to express skepticism or disapproval. When writing, it is important to consider the tone, as it can come across as critical. Alternatives like "unconvincing reason" may be more appropriate in formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with notable sources including The Guardian, The Economist, and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unconvincing reason

Stresses the inability of the rationale to persuade or gain belief.

weak justification

Emphasizes the lack of logical support or validity in the reason given.

poor explanation

Highlights the inadequate or unsatisfactory nature of the given account.

unsatisfactory explanation

Highlights that the reason given is not good enough.

flimsy alibi

Focuses on the fragility and easy disprovability of the provided explanation.

inadequate response

Focuses on the insufficiency of the reply or defense offered.

lame attempt at justification

Implies a failed or inadequate effort to provide a valid reason.

thinly veiled pretext

Suggests the presence of a hidden motive poorly disguised by the given excuse.

pathetic rationalization

Conveys a sense of pity or contempt for the offered reasoning.

hollow claim

Emphasizes the emptiness and lack of substance in the statement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "feeble excuse" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases such as "unconvincing reason" or "unsatisfactory explanation" to maintain a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "feeble excuse"?

Use "feeble excuse" when you want to express that you find a reason or justification to be weak, inadequate, and not believable. It is best used when you want to directly challenge the validity of the explanation.

What's the difference between a "feeble excuse" and a "valid reason"?

A "feeble excuse" implies the reason is weak and unconvincing, while a "valid reason" suggests the explanation is logical, acceptable, and adequately justifies the action or situation.

What are some words that are similar in meaning to "feeble", when describing an excuse?

Synonyms for "feeble" in this context include "weak", "flimsy", "tenuous", and "poor", all indicating a lack of strength or substance.