alibi

/ˈæləbaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæləbaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈa-lə-ˌbī/ (ame, mw)

alibi — noun

1. information or evidence showing that a suspect was elsewhere when a crime happen

1.名詞C1
釋義

information or evidence showing that a suspect was elsewhere when a crime happened, which removes that person from blame.

例句

Train camera records gave Omar an alibi for the museum theft.

give someone an alibi for + crime

At midnight, Rosa's video call provided a strong alibi.

provide an alibi

同義詞
  • defence

    broader legal word for the whole case made to protect an accused person

  • evidence

    any information supporting a case, not only proof of being elsewhere

  • proof

    stronger; suggests the matter is clearly shown to be true

  • vindication

    formal; the later clearing of blame rather than the proof itself

反義詞
  • confession

    a statement admitting guilt instead of denying it

  • incrimination

    formal; evidence or action that points toward guilt

文法句型

have an alibi

give/provide + someone + an alibi

an alibi for + crime

用法筆記

Often used with verbs like have, give, provide, and confirm. Unlike sense 2, this sense depends on facts that place the person elsewhere, not just on a convenient reason.

常見錯誤

❌His alibi was that he felt sick.
✅His excuse was that he felt sick.
💡an alibi in this sense must show where a person was, usually in a crime case.
❌The ticket gave alibi to her.
✅The ticket gave her an alibi.
💡with 'give', the person normally comes before 'an alibi'.

2. a reason someone gives to avoid blame for bad behaviour, a mistake, or a failure

2.名詞C1
釋義

a reason someone gives to avoid blame for bad behaviour, a mistake, or a failure.

例句

Being tired is no alibi for missing your son's school play.

no alibi for + -ing

The rain became his alibi for arriving an hour late.

同義詞
  • excuse

    the most general everyday word

  • justification

    suggests the speaker thinks the reason is fair or right

  • pretext

    often implies the reason is not the real one

  • cover story

    stronger; often suggests a planned false explanation

反義詞
  • admission

    openly saying that you did something wrong

  • accountability

    accepting responsibility instead of hiding behind reasons

文法句型

an alibi for + noun/-ing

use + something + as an alibi

be no alibi for + noun/-ing

用法筆記

Common with for + noun or -ing, and after words like no, weak, and handy. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense can be any excuse, even when it is not supported by facts.

常見錯誤

❌Traffic was my alibi that I was late.
✅Traffic was my alibi for being late.
💡this sense usually takes 'for' before the reason.
❌She used an alibi to prove she was at home.
✅She used an alibi to avoid blame for being late.
💡when the meaning is 'excuse', the focus is avoiding blame, not proving location.

alibi — verb