बहाने बनाना

/bəɦaːne bənaːnaː/◆idiom
to make excuses

वह हमेशा काम से बचने के लिए बहाने बनाता रहता है।

He always makes excuses to avoid work.

◆ What It Really Means
To avoid responsibility or action by inventing weak or dishonest reasons, often to evade accountability or unpleasant tasks.
Literal Meaning
To create excuses
Literal Breakdown
बहानाexcuse+बनानाto make
◇ Mental Image
The mental picture is of someone fabricating reasons (like weaving a web of lies) to avoid doing something they don't want to do, often with a sense of manipulation or laziness.
◈ When to Use
Imagine a student who hasn't studied for an exam but tells their parent they were sick. The parent might say, 'तुम हमेशा बहाने बनाते हो!' (You always make excuses!).
◉ Cultural Note
In Hindi culture, direct confrontation is often avoided, but making excuses is seen as a passive-aggressive way to evade responsibility. This idiom reflects societal expectations of honesty and accountability.
informal

To invent reasons or justifications to avoid doing something or to evade responsibility, often in a dishonest or manipulative way.

उसने देर से आने का बहाना बनाया।

He made an excuse for coming late.

बच्चे होमवर्क पूरा न करने के लिए बहाने बना रहे थे।

The kids were making excuses for not completing their homework.

Commonly used in social and professional contexts to describe evasive behavior.

Related Phrases

बहानेबाज़noun
a person who habitually makes excuses
बहानेबाज़ीnoun
the act of making excuses habitually

Pro Tip

Cultural Context

In Hindi-speaking cultures, avoiding direct confrontation or responsibility is often frowned upon. Making excuses ('बहाने बनाना') is seen as a form of evasion, especially in professional or familial settings.

Gold Rule

Usage Scenario

Use this phrase when someone is avoiding a task or responsibility by giving weak or fabricated reasons. For example, if a colleague frequently misses deadlines by claiming 'traffic,' you might say, 'वह हमेशा ट्रैफिक का बहाना बनाता है।'

Word Origin

The phrase combines 'बहाना' (bahāna, meaning 'excuse' or 'pretext') and 'बनाना' (banānā, meaning 'to make' or 'to create'). 'बहाना' itself derives from Persian 'بهانه' (bahāna), meaning 'pretext' or 'excuse'.

Usage Notes

This idiom is widely used in Hindi-speaking regions to describe someone who avoids responsibility by fabricating reasons. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying dishonesty or laziness.

Word Breakdown

बहाना
excuse or pretext
noun
+
बनाना
to make or create
verb
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