かこつけ

noun

pretext; excuse

A reason given to hide the real motive; often used when someone uses something as a cover story.

• 彼かれは病びょう気きをかこつけにして会かい議ぎを欠けっ席せきした。

  He used illness as a pretext to skip the meeting.

• 仕し事ごとをかこつけに、彼かの女じょはデートの誘さそいを断ことわった。

  She turned down the date invitation, using work as an excuse.