かこつける

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

use as a pretext; use as an excuse

Used when someone gives a false or unrelated reason for doing something, often with the pattern 〜にかこつけて.

• 彼かれは病びょう気きにかこつけて会かい議ぎを休やすんだ。

  He skipped the meeting using illness as an excuse.

• 仕し事ごとにかこつけて、家か事じを全ぜん然ぜん手伝てつだわない。

  Using work as a pretext, he doesn't help with the housework at all.