ex‧plain S1 W1 / ɪkspleɪn / 动词 [不及物和及物动词]

1 to tell someone about something in a way that is clear or easy to understand :

He carefully explained the procedure.

explain (to somebody) why/how/what etc

The librarian will explain how to use the catalogue system.

Let me explain what I mean.

explain that

He explained that it had been a difficult film to make.

explain something to somebody

I explained the situation to my bank manager. ► You explain something to someone : He explained the system to me (NOT explained me the system).

2 to give a reason for something or to be a reason for something :

Wait! I can explain everything.

How can you explain that sort of behaviour?

explain that

She explained that she had been ill.

explain why/how/what etc

I’ll explain why I don’t believe your story.

That still doesn’t explain how he was able to hide the body.

3 explain yourself

a) to tell someone who is angry or upset with you the reasons why you did something :

I’m going to give you five seconds to explain yourself.

b) to say clearly what you mean :

Sorry, I’m not explaining myself very well.

THESAURUS

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 / demənstreɪt / 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.

explain something ↔ away 短语动词

to make something seem less important or bad by giving reasons for it :

The difference in the treatment they receive is hard to explain away.