flimsy excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"flimsy excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to an excuse that is weak or unconvincing. For example, you could say: "He gave me a flimsy excuse for why he was late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 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

Oddly, all those folks are silent about him now that he provided Trump with the flimsy excuse he needed.

University of California, Berkeley

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

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But these flimsy excuses are embarrassing.

The New York Times

Don't give flimsy excuses that could be misinterpreted or refuted.

Yale University

Dr. Barnett said perfectionists often find flimsy excuses to cancel social and business engagements.

The New York Times - Style

But none of this made sense, and her flimsy excuses all fell apart.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flimsy excuse", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the excuse is inadequate or unconvincing. Strong verbs like 'dismissed', 'rejected', or 'criticized' can enhance the impact.

Common error

While "flimsy excuse" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "weak justification" or "poor alibi" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flimsy excuse" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "flimsy" is an adjective modifying the noun "excuse". It describes a type of excuse characterized by its weakness or lack of credibility, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flimsy excuse" is a common phrase used to describe an unconvincing or weak justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with occurrences in Academic and Formal settings as well. Alternatives such as "weak justification" or "poor alibi" can be used to add variety to your writing. When employing the phrase, ensure that your surrounding context clearly conveys the inadequacy of the excuse being presented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unconvincing reason

Emphasizes the failure to persuade or satisfy.

lame excuse

Informal way of describing a weak and uninspired justification.

weak justification

Focuses on the inadequacy of the reason provided.

poor alibi

Highlights the lack of credibility in a provided explanation of being elsewhere.

hollow explanation

Highlights the lack of substance or truth in the justification.

feeble pretext

Suggests a false or invented reason that is weak.

implausible story

Focuses on the lack of believability in the narrative.

pathetic attempt at justification

Underlines the inadequacy and almost sad quality of the explanation.

thinly veiled lie

Emphasizes that the excuse is essentially a lie that is poorly concealed.

transparent fabrication

Points out the obvious and easily detectable nature of the lie.

FAQs

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

You can use "flimsy excuse" to describe a reason or justification that is weak and unconvincing. For instance, "He offered a "flimsy excuse" for being late, claiming he missed his alarm."

What are some alternatives to "flimsy excuse"?

Some alternatives to "flimsy excuse" include "weak justification", "poor alibi", or "unconvincing reason". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "flimsy reason" instead of "flimsy excuse"?

While "reason" and "excuse" can sometimes be interchangeable, "flimsy excuse" is more common when referring to a justification offered to avoid blame or responsibility. "Flimsy reason" might be suitable in contexts where blame is not a factor.

What makes an excuse "flimsy"?

An excuse is considered "flimsy" when it lacks credibility, is easily disproven, or appears insincere. It often implies that the person offering the excuse is not being entirely truthful or is attempting to avoid consequences.