solid excuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solid excuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a justification or reason that is strong, valid, or convincing. Example: "He had a solid excuse for being late to the meeting, as his car broke down on the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I spent most of the day cowering from rain and thunder a solid excuse to make some headway in the new Pynchon novel Against the Day.

TechCrunch

No one can doubt the fact that you have to relieve your bladder and this is pretty much the most solid excuse you can have.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The strikers have given you a wonderful gift, out of the goodness of their hearts: They've given you a rock-solid excuse for coming into the office as late as you like.

Vice

Which means it's as solid an excuse as any to get good and soused.

Huffington Post

During a late night of writing, his harmonies became a solid checkpoint, an excuse to push ahead for another hour or so.

The New Yorker

If there is an aspect of your application that the school might question, have a solid explanation, not an excuse.

The Economist

So, we just can't afford to spit out that excuse as solid justification for women earning less than men working the very same jobs.

Forbes

From the cultural importance of abuelos (grandparents) or a day in a Harlem bodega (corner shop) to what it's like to be a Jewish Latino or an unmissable two-part history of Latino hip-hop, this podcast is really an excuse for reliably solid and often unexpected storytelling.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Today there are fewer excuses because the solid evidence is piling up.

The Guardian - Books

In any crisis communications scenario, admitting the problem and sincerely owning up to it without blame or excuses is a solid first step.

Forbes

As far as my play was concerned, I played solid football".... VINNY TESTAVERDE was excused from practice for personal reasons Wednesday...

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solid excuse" when you want to convey that a reason or justification is strong, believable, and likely to be accepted without question.

Common error

While "solid excuse" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing may sound too casual. In such contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "credible justification" or "legitimate reason".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solid excuse" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "solid" modifies the noun "excuse". It describes the quality of the excuse, emphasizing its strength and validity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solid excuse" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a strong and believable reason or justification. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's acceptable in English writing, though its frequency is uncommon. While versatile, consider using more formal alternatives like "credible justification" in professional contexts. The phrase appears most often in news and media and wiki sources. Remember to use "solid excuse" when you want to convey that an excuse is particularly convincing and likely to be accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

credible justification

Replaces "excuse" with "justification" emphasizing the validity of the reason.

valid alibi

Substitutes "excuse" with "alibi", focusing on providing proof of absence or involvement elsewhere.

reasonable explanation

Uses "explanation" instead of "excuse", highlighting the clarity and logic of the reason.

legitimate reason

Replaces "excuse" with "reason" emphasizing the lawfulness and acceptability.

convincing account

Focuses on the believability of the explanation given.

plausible pretext

Uses "pretext" to suggest a more surface-level or potentially deceptive reason, while still being believable.

strong rationale

Emphasizes the logical basis and strength of the justification.

unquestionable justification

Highlights the irrefutable nature of the reason.

irrefutable explanation

Focuses on an explanation that cannot be denied or disproved.

water tight defense

A metaphor highlighting that there is no fault in the defense.

FAQs

What does "solid excuse" mean?

A "solid excuse" refers to a reason or justification that is strong, believable, and likely to be accepted without question.

What can I say instead of "solid excuse"?

You can use alternatives like "credible justification", "valid alibi", or "reasonable explanation" depending on the context.

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

It's appropriate to use "solid excuse" in both informal and formal settings when you need to describe an excuse that is strong and believable. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

Is there a difference between "solid excuse" and "good excuse"?

"Good excuse" is a more general term. "Solid excuse" implies a higher level of certainty and believability.