make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts: [with clause]:they explained that their lives centred on the religious rituals [with direct speech]:‘It’s a device of great age,’ the professor explained [with object]:he explained the situation give a reason so as to justify or excuse (an action or event): [with object]:Cassie found it necessary to explain her blackened eye [with clause]:he makes athletes explain why they made a mistake [no object]:I explained about Maureen calling round [with object] be the cause of or motivating factor for:her father’s violence explains her pacifism [with clause]:this would explain why so many adult children still live with their parents (
explain something away)
minimize the significance of an embarrassing fact or action by giving an excuse or justification: they know stories about me that I can’t explain away
