society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > excuse > make excuses [verb (intransitive)] (5)
To give reasons or excuses [= Latin causāri].
intransitive. To speak in, or serve as, justification, explanation, or palliation of a fault, failure, or anything that may cause dissatisfaction…
Chiefly North American. to whip the devil round the stump (also post) and variants: to avoid something difficult, esp. by some form of subterfuge or…