explain oneself

explain oneself idiom
  1. Clarify what one has said or done, as in If you have a few minutes, I'll try to explain myself. [First half of 1600s]
  2. Demand or give an explanation or excuse for something wrong one has done. For example, You're three hours late—can you explain yourself?

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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