lame excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

"lame excuse" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone provides an excuse that is weak and unconvincing. For example, "His lame excuse for not turning in his assignment on time was that his printer ran out of ink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lame excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

Yesterday's lame excuse.

The New Yorker

"That's a lame excuse.

The Guardian - Sport

But that's a lame excuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That's a lame excuse," says Rita Kumari.

The Guardian

That's a weak excuse, a lame excuse".

The New York Times

That seemed like a lame excuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

But now that lame excuse goes out the window.

The New York Times - Tech

That was promptly rejected as a lame excuse.

The New York Times

I think it is a pretty lame excuse, though.

The New Yorker

That is a lame excuse for breaking a promise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "lame excuse" in formal writing. While acceptable, it might be seen as too informal or colloquial in academic or professional settings. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "unconvincing explanation" or "weak justification".

Common error

Don't soften the meaning of "lame excuse". It's not just about a lack of creativity; it conveys that the excuse is weak, unconvincing, and often indicates deception or a lack of effort. If you want to convey lack of creativity but without lack of seriousness, chose something like "uncreative explanation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lame excuse" functions as a noun phrase used to describe a reason or justification that is weak, unconvincing, or inadequate. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is commonly used. Examples include "That's a "lame excuse"" and "It's a "pretty lame excuse"."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lame excuse" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a weak, unconvincing justification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience, as it can sometimes come across as dismissive or judgmental. Alternatives such as "weak justification" or "unconvincing explanation" may be more appropriate in formal settings. Be mindful of the negative connotations; "lame excuse" suggests not just a lack of creativity, but also a lack of honesty or effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak justification

Focuses on the lack of solid reasoning behind the excuse.

unconvincing explanation

Highlights the lack of believability in the given explanation.

feeble alibi

Emphasizes the weakness and implausibility of the excuse, often in the context of avoiding blame.

pathetic attempt at justification

Highlights that the attempt is a failure, and is not worthy of consideration.

poorly conceived reason

Points out that the reason given was not thought through and is therefore inadequate.

flimsy pretext

Suggests the excuse is very weak and easily seen through.

transparent fabrication

Indicates that the excuse is clearly made up and not based on truth.

hollow pretense

Highlights the lack of substance or sincerity behind the excuse.

insufficient explanation

Highlights the fact that the explanation provided does not explain properly the situation.

implausible story

Focuses on the incredibility of the narrative presented as an excuse.

FAQs

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

You can use "lame excuse" to describe an explanation that is weak and unconvincing. For example, "His "lame excuse" for being late was that he missed his bus."

What are some alternatives to "lame excuse"?

You can use alternatives like "weak justification", "unconvincing explanation", or "feeble alibi" depending on the specific context.

Is "lame excuse" appropriate for formal writing?

While "lame excuse" is widely understood, it may be considered too informal for academic or professional writing. In those contexts, consider using more sophisticated alternatives such as "inadequate explanation" or "unsatisfactory justification".

What makes an excuse a "lame excuse"?

A ""lame excuse"" is one that is not believable, often indicating a lack of effort or honesty. It suggests that the person offering the excuse isn't taking responsibility or is trying to avoid consequences with a weak explanation.