alibi
UK/'æləbaɪ/US/'ælibai/
GREC2
Definitions
n.
Evidence that a suspect was elsewhere when a crime was committed
不在场证明
n.
An excuse, especially to avoid blame
（口语）借口，托辞
Root Breakdown
Loanword=alibi
A frozen Latin phrase: alibī meant literally 'in another place' (from alius, 'other'). A suspect's alibi is the claim that he was somewhere else when the crime happened — so he could not have done it.
Root ali still carries 27 more wordsWhy It Means This
The word is the Latin location-word 'elsewhere' turned into a legal noun. Because 'I was elsewhere' is the classic way to dodge responsibility, alibi slid into casual speech meaning any handy excuse — 'don't give me your alibis.'
Common Collocations
- 1.solid alibi确凿的不在场证明
- 2.alibi witness证人
- 3.provide an alibi提供不在场证明
- 4.watertight alibi无懈可击的不在场证明
Example Sentences
- 1.
He has a solid alibi: he was at work all evening.
- 2.
The detective checked every suspect's alibi.
- 3.
Stop making alibis and just admit you forgot.