groundless excuse

[GROUND-lis ik-SKYOOS]
noun phrasepl: groundless excuses
desculpa infundada
1. An explanation or reason offered to justify an action that lacks factual basis or valid support; a false or unjustified justification
His claim that he was sick was a groundless excuse for missing the meeting.
Sua alegação de que estava doente era uma desculpa infundada para faltar à reunião.
2. A pretense or alibi that cannot be substantiated by evidence or reason
The team provided a groundless excuse for their poor performance.
O time apresentou uma desculpa infundada por seu desempenho ruim.
In Brazilian culture, calling out groundless excuses is common in both formal and informal settings. The phrase is frequently used in workplace, educational, and family contexts to dismiss unjustified explanations. Americans often use more colloquial expressions like 'lame excuse' or 'weak sauce' in casual conversation, while 'groundless excuse' is more formal and commonly found in academic or professional writing.
NYC Slang
weak sauce; BS excuse; bogus reason
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unfounded excusebaseless excuseinvalid excusefalse pretenselame excuseweak excuse
Antonyms / Antônimos
valid excusejustified explanationlegitimate reasonwell-founded excuse

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
desculpa infundada
Most common and formal usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
desculpa furada
Colloquial alternative; 'furada' means 'full of holes' or 'flawed'
São Paulo
desculpa sem pé nem cabeça
Idiomatic: literally 'excuse without foot or head'; meaning nonsensical
Portugal
desculpa infundada
Similar formal usage; may also use 'desculpa sem base'

Related Words

pretextalibijustificationrationalizationfabricationunsubstantiated

Related Idioms & Phrases

make excuses
without a leg to stand on
that dog won't hunt
full of hot air
desculpa sem pé nem cabeça (Brazilian Portuguese idiom)
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