interpret away
C1 formal separable transitive
In simple words
To change what something means so that a problem with it seems to go away.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
formal
To remove a difficulty or contradiction by reinterpreting the meaning of a text, statement, or law.
"The lawyer tried to interpret away the ambiguous clause in the contract."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Used in academic, legal, and political contexts when someone reinterprets a text, law, or statement to sidestep an inconvenient conclusion. Often carries a mildly critical tone, implying the reinterpretation is too convenient.
Commonly used with
text law clause evidence contradiction difficulty rule
Forms
Base
interpret away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
interprets away
he/she/it
Past simple
interpreted away
yesterday
Past participle
interpreted away
have + pp
-ing form
interpreting away
continuous
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