make up a reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make up a reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is fabricating or inventing an explanation or justification for something. Example: "When asked why he was late, he had to make up a reason on the spot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So, where a peace officer is barred from acting, say because 'reasonable suspicion' does not exist, a security guard can simply make up a reason and with a great working partnership with the LAPD, make arrests and have charges brought on just about anyone.

Huffington Post

Call your friend in a panic and make up a reason he needs to come right away.

WikiHow

Tell the truth, or if the truth is too hard(like if she's too fat or ugly), then make up a reason, but a good one.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Making up a reason to invade a country is the easy part," Mr. Cheney told them.

The New Yorker

J. Kandal) that he's dying, but the young man, utterly self-involved and paranoid, believes his lover is making up a reason to break up with him.

The New Yorker

Ireland issued an apology last night after admitting he had made up a reason to be excused from the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 defeat in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, in order to visit his "lonely" girlfriend in Cork.

The Guardian - Sport

By Andy Borowitz March 19 , 2013HOUSTON (The Borowitz Report) — In a sombre ceremony attended by former members of the Bush Administration, the former Vice-President Dick Cheney marked the tenth anniversary of making up a reason to invade Iraq.

The New Yorker

"Dolan made up a reason, and everyone at the Garden had to scramble to justify the reason," said Anne C. Vladeck, the lead lawyer for Browne Sanders, who was fired by Dolan in January 2006 from her position as the Knicks' senior vice president for marketing and business operations.

The New York Times

Ott, from Rochester in Kent, PC Calvin Lindsay, 31, from east London, and PC Thomas Barnes, 31, from Kent, were accused of making up a reason to arrest Mr Horner after he was injured.

BBC

I hastily made up a reason why I had to leave but gave the dealer my phone number.

Huffington Post

For three hot and humid months that year, I made up a reason to walk past his house ten times a day.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make up a reason", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason is fabricated or untrue. This avoids unintentional implications of honesty or authenticity.

Common error

Avoid using "make up a reason" in situations where genuine reasoning is expected. This phrase inherently suggests deception, so use it only when fabrication is the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make up a reason" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of creating or inventing a justification, excuse, or explanation, often with the implication that the reason is not genuine. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make up a reason" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of inventing a justification or explanation, often with negative connotations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, particularly in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. While not overly common, understanding its implication of fabrication is essential for appropriate usage. Remember that while it may seem like a shortcut, honesty is generally the better course of action. When you need to imply that someone is being dishonest or inventing excuses, this phrase can be very useful. If that's not the case, you should explore alternative phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fabricate an excuse

Focuses on the act of inventing a false justification to avoid blame or responsibility.

invent an explanation

Emphasizes the creation of a novel explanation, which may not be truthful.

concoct a story

Suggests a more elaborate and potentially deceptive creation of a narrative.

devise a pretext

Highlights the planning and creation of a deceptive reason for doing something.

manufacture a justification

Implies a deliberate and calculated creation of a seemingly valid reason.

formulate a rationale

Involves creating a logical or plausible reason, though it may not be entirely truthful.

contrive a cause

Highlights artificially creating a reason for a particular action or situation.

imagine a motive

Focuses on the creation of an inner drive or reason for behavior, whether real or not.

dream up an excuse

Suggests inventing an excuse in a creative, almost whimsical way.

think up a justification

Focuses on the mental process of devising a reason to defend or support an action.

FAQs

How can I use "make up a reason" in a sentence?

You can use "make up a reason" to describe someone inventing an excuse or justification, as in, "He had to make up a reason for being late to the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "make up a reason"?

Alternatives include "fabricate an excuse", "invent an explanation", or "concoct a story", depending on the context.

Is it better to "make up a reason" or tell the truth?

While there may be situations where it seems easier to "make up a reason", honesty is generally the best policy. However, this phrase specifically refers to creating a false reason.

What's the connotation of using the phrase "make up a reason"?

The phrase "make up a reason" carries a negative connotation, suggesting dishonesty or a lack of integrity, because it implies the creation of something untrue.