EXCUSE

A poor example

• I forgot isn't a good one

• My alarm didn't go off, e.g.

• My printer broke, for example

• The dog ate my homework, e.g.

• The dog ate my homework, for one

• Alibi

• Any of this puzzle's theme entries

• Cop-out

• Cover story

• Forgive

• G.H.W. Bush's I was out of the loop, for instance

• It can be lame

• It may be poor

• Let go

• Pretext

• Rationalization

• A defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.