noun
excuse; explanation; justification; defense
A formal or earnest explanation given to clear oneself of blame or suspicion; often used in contexts like 申し開きをする or 申し開きが立たない.
彼は遅刻の申し開きを求められた。
He was asked to give an explanation for his tardiness.
証拠がなくては申し開きが立たない。
Without evidence, I cannot offer a valid defense.
言い訳 is a more common, everyday word for an excuse, often with a nuance of making excuses or shifting blame. 申し開き is more formal and implies a sincere, detailed explanation to justify one's actions.
弁明 is also a formal explanation or vindication, but it can be used in legal or official contexts. 申し開き is slightly more personal and often used when one is directly questioned.
Compound of 申し (continuative form of 申す, humble 'to say') + 開き (continuative form of 開く, 'to open'), literally 'opening up and saying'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word conveys the idea of disclosing one's side of the story.