ex·plain 
/ɪkˈspleɪn/ verb
ex·plains; ex·plained; ex·plain·ing /ɪkˈspleɪn/ verb 1 [+ obj] : to make (something) clear or easy to understand
▪ I need a lawyer to explain this contract to me. ▪ The professor explained the poem to the class. ▪ She explained how the machine worked. ▪ I explained to them that I would be available by phone. 2 : to tell, show, or be the reason for or cause of something [+ obj] ▪ Scientists could not explain the strange lights in the sky. ▪ I don't know how to explain the dog's strange behavior. ▪ “I need to rest,” I explained to them. = I explained to them that I needed to rest. ▪ We asked him to explain his reasons to us. ▪ Can you explain why no one was informed earlier? ▪ Well, that explains it! ▪ That explains why we we're so far behind schedule. [no obj] ▪ Give me a chance to explain.
▪ I need a lawyer to explain this contract to me. ▪ The professor explained the poem to the class. ▪ She explained how the machine worked. ▪ I explained to them that I would be available by phone.
explain away [phrasal verb]
explain away (something) or explain (something) away 1 : to make (something) seem less important by telling how it happened, what caused it, etc.
▪ It will be hard for his lawyers to explain away this new evidence. ▪ She tried to explain her symptoms away by insisting she was just overtired. 2 : to give a reason for (a fault, a mistake, etc.) so that you will not be blamed for it
▪ They've tried to explain away the delays, citing computer problems.
▪ It will be hard for his lawyers to explain away this new evidence. ▪ She tried to explain her symptoms away by insisting she was just overtired.
▪ They've tried to explain away the delays, citing computer problems.
explain yourself 1 : to give a reason for your behavior
▪ She had a hard time explaining herself after the theft was revealed. ▪ I don't think that I should have to explain myself to you. 2 : to say something clearly so that it can be understood
▪ Let me try to explain myself more clearly.
▪ She had a hard time explaining herself after the theft was revealed. ▪ I don't think that I should have to explain myself to you.
▪ Let me try to explain myself more clearly.
hasten to explain — see hasten
— ex·plain·able /ɪkˈspleɪnəbəl/ adjective [more explainable; most explainable]
▪ He thought all behavior was explainable in terms of genetics.
/ɪkˈspleɪnəbəl/ adjective [more explainable; most explainable] ▪ He thought all behavior was explainable in terms of genetics.
