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〜にかこつけて

under the pretext of, using … as an excuse

Noun + にかこつけて

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にかこつけて means using something as a convenient excuse to do what you really wanted to: 仕事にかこつけて、海外旅行を楽しんだ, "he used work as an excuse to enjoy a trip abroad".

The noun is a legitimate-sounding reason (work, illness, a birthday, a business trip, the rain), and the second half is the real motive. The tone is knowing or disapproving, even when you say it about yourself.

Compare を理由に, "for the reason of", which is neutral and can be genuine. にかこつけて always implies the reason is a pretext.

Don't confuse it with にかまけて (N1), "too wrapped up in", or にかけて (N2), "through (a period)".

Examples

  • 仕事しごとにかこつけて、海外旅行かいがいりょこうを楽たのしんだ。

    He used work as an excuse to enjoy a trip abroad.

  • 病気びょうきにかこつけて、会議かいぎを休やすんだ。

    She used illness as an excuse to skip the meeting.

  • 息子むすこの誕生日たんじょうびにかこつけて、自分じぶんの欲ほしい物ものを買かった。

    I used my son's birthday as an excuse to buy something I wanted.

  • 出張しゅっちょうにかこつけて、昔むかしの友人ゆうじんに会あいに行いった。

    I used a business trip as a pretext to go and see an old friend.

  • 雨あめにかこつけて、練習れんしゅうをさぼった。

    He used the rain as an excuse to skip practice.