Definition of "explain away" [explain away]

• To dismiss or minimize by explanation, especially with regard to problems. (verb)

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• "No engineer had ever come to a Monday morning meeting to explain away a SRB ground-test failure."
• "And even though she knew in her heart of hearts that these guys must be into historical reenactments—mid-eighteenth-century by the look of the jackets—she was in no rush to explain away what she saw."
• "Gentle hands stroked and soothed up and down her shaking back while she apologised, shuddering hiccups causing interesting sensations in their still-joined bodies as she sought to explain away her foolish tears without embarrassing either of them with rash declarations of love, and spoiling what should be a perfect moment of post-coital bliss."