← Grammar bank

Formation: N + にかこつけて; written: にかこつけ; kanji form: に託けて (rare)

〜にかこつけて means someone uses an occasion or circumstance as a convenient cover for what they really want to do. The real aim, often self-indulgent or avoiding something, comes in the main clause. The tone is mildly critical when used about others, and wry or self-deprecating when used about oneself. It is used in both writing and conversation and is almost always written in kana. Compare 〜を口実に, which is very close but more direct about the 'excuse' and is often used for refusing or getting out of things. かこつけて suggests linking one's wish to some plausible occasion, such as a business trip, a holiday or an illness. 〜ついでに, by contrast, is neutral: the main activity is genuine and something extra is done along the way.

Variants: にかこつけ、に託けて

Examples

• 彼は出張にかこつけて、地方の温泉を巡っている。
  He uses business trips as an excuse to make the rounds of hot springs in the regions.
• 父は孫の誕生日にかこつけて、自分が欲しいおもちゃを買ってきた。
  Using his grandson's birthday as an excuse, my father bought a toy he wanted for himself.
• 体調不良にかこつけて、面倒な会議を欠席した。
  I used feeling unwell as a pretext to skip a tedious meeting.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

No post has used this pattern yet. Examples from real texts will appear here.