alibi
Loading your saved state.
alibi
In the legal sense, proof that a person suspected of a crime was in another place at the time of the offense and therefore cannot be considered the perpetrator.
Der Verdächtige hatte für die Tatzeit ein wasserdichtes Alibi, das von mehreren Zeugen bestätigt wurde.
The suspect had an airtight alibi for the time of the crime, which was confirmed by several witnesses.
excuse / pretext
In a figurative, colloquial sense, a pretext or excuse used to justify a failure, inaction, or unpleasant action.
Die Teilnahme an der unwichtigen Besprechung diente ihm nur als Alibi, um die eigentliche Arbeit nicht machen zu müssen.
Attending the unimportant meeting served only as an excuse for him not to have to do the actual work.
The word 'Alibi' (alibi) is very often combined with the verb 'haben' (to have). Other typical phrases are 'jemandem ein Alibi geben' (to give someone an alibi / to vouch for someone) or 'sich ein Alibi verschaffen' (to get oneself an alibi / to arrange proof or a pretext).
Der Angeklagte hatte für den Tatzeitpunkt ein Alibi.
The defendant had an alibi for the time of the crime.
You can recognize the legal meaning from contexts involving crime, police, or court. The colloquial meaning as 'Ausrede' (excuse) is used in everyday situations to justify why someone did not do something.
Die Polizei konnte sein Alibi für die Tatnacht widerlegen.
The police were able to disprove his alibi for the night of the crime.
In a legal context, the adjective 'wasserdicht' (airtight) is often used to describe a complete and unchallengeable alibi. A 'wasserdichtes Alibi' (airtight alibi) is the best possible proof of absence.
Dank zweier unabhängiger Zeugen hatte sie ein wasserdichtes Alibi.
Thanks to two independent witnesses, she had an airtight alibi.
The figurative meaning of 'Alibi' (alibi) as an excuse or pretext is typical of colloquial language. It describes a justification that is often not entirely honest.
Er nannte die Fortbildung als Grund, aber eigentlich war es nur ein Alibi für einen Kurzurlaub.
He cited the training course as the reason, but actually it was just an excuse for a short vacation.
excuse
In colloquial use, Ausrede and Alibi can both justify a failure to do something. Ausrede directly refers to an often unconvincing explanation. Alibi sounds more like a fabricated safeguard with which someone wants to create the impression that they did enough or had a good reason.
Seine kurze E-Mail diente ihm als Alibi für den fehlenden Bericht.
His brief email served as an alibi for the missing report.
Seine angeblich verlorene E-Mail war nur eine Ausrede für den fehlenden Bericht.
His supposedly lost email was just an excuse for the missing report.
