english
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verb ADV. in detail I wrote explaining the issues in great detail. | fully The reasons for the accident have not been fully explained. | adequately, properly, satisfactorily | partly This partly explains why he was so late. | briefly | easily, readily This phenomenon can be easily explained. | clearly | carefully | patiently The doctor explained patiently what the treatment would be. | earnestly | concisely, succinctly, tersely The general principles behind the method used are explained clearly and concisely. ‘We've already paid,’ I explained tersely. | awkwardly, lamely | breathlessly, excitedly VERB + EXPLAIN be able/unable to, can/could I know I'm late, but I can explain why. | attempt to, seek to, try to | help (to) | purport to Many theories purport to explain growth in terms of a single cause. | be difficult to, be hard to It's difficult to explain exactly how the system works. | hasten to She saw his quick frown and hastened to explain. | let sb Let me explain what I mean. PREP. about She tried to explain about her fears and anxieties. | to She explained the plan to me very carefully. PHRASES explain everything I've got a letter here which explains everything. | go a long way/some way towards explaining sth This goes some way towards explaining the hostility between the two groups.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
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verb
reveal:
You should explain how you did that.
Simple Definitions
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explain
to give someone the information they need to understand something:
• She explained how to use the software. • Doctors usually explain the risks of the treatment to patients.
tell
to explain something. People often use tell instead of explain in everyday conversation:
• He told me how to get to his house. • The book tells you how to improve your health through diet.
show
to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you:
• Ellen showed me how to work the coffee maker.
demonstrate
to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you, especially when it is part of your job:
• The cabin crew demonstrated the safety procedures to the passengers. • A qualified instructor will demonstrate how to use the equipment properly.
go through something
to explain something carefully, especially one step at a time:
• Mrs. Riddell went through the homework assignment.
set out something
to explain a series of ideas, reasons or opinions in an organized way in writing or in a speech:
• In his speech, he intended to set out the party’s policies on education.
Longman-Thesaurus
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Phrase(s): explain someone or something to someone
to give information or instruction about someone or something to someone. • Please explain it to me. • Can you explain Andrew to me?, Phrase(s): explain oneself
1. to explain what one has said or done or what one thinks or feels. (Formal and polite.) • Please take a moment to explain yourself. I’m sure we are interested in your ideas. • Yes, if you will let me explain myself, I think you’ll agree with my idea. 2. to give an explanation or excuse for something wrong that one may have done. (Usually said in anger.) • Young man! Come in here and explain yourself this instant. • Why did you do that, Tom Smith? You had better explain yourself, and it had better be good.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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explain sth away
[ M ]
to avoid blame for something that has happened by making it seem not important or not your fault
• I don't know how you're going to explain away that dent you made in dad's car.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs