申もうし開ひらき

も

う

し

ひ

ら

き

Meanings

1

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.

彼かれ

は

遅ち

刻こく

の

申もう

し

開ひら

き

を

求もと

め

られ

た

。

He was asked to give an explanation for his tardiness.

証しょう拠こがなくては申もうし開ひらきが立たたない。

Without evidence, I cannot offer a valid defense.

Kanji

申have the honor to, sign of the monkey, 3-5PM
開open, unfold, unseal

Related words

言いい訳わけ
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.
弁べん明めい
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.

Built from

申もうす+開ひらく

Written forms

申もうし開ひらきUsage96%
Standard kanji spelling.
申もうし開ひらきUsage4%
Variant spelling; less common but still encountered.

Etymology

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.