〜にかこつけて

Meaning

Used to indicate doing something under the pretext of a certain reason or excuse, often with a negative connotation.

Using ~ as a facade or pretext; the latter part often involves actions that would be criticized if known. The following clause often contains something that, if known, would be subject to criticism.

Formation

Examples

1. 風邪にかこつけて、学校を休んでゲームをした。
   Using a cold as a pretext, I skipped school and played games.

2. 最近、夫は出張にかこつけて、他の女性にあっている気がする。
   Recently, I feel like my husband is using business trips as an excuse to meet other women.

3. 接待にかこつけて夜遅くまで飲みに行った。
   Under the pretense of a business entertainment, he went out drinking until late.

4. ハロウィンにかこつけて、馬鹿騒ぎする若者が多すぎる。
   Too many young people are using Halloween as an excuse to make a ruckus.

5. 息子は病気にかこつけて、勉強もせずにゲームばかりしている。
   My son is using his illness as a pretext to avoid studying and play games all the time.

6. あの上司は酒の勢いにかこつけて、体を触ろうとするから気をつけて。
   Be careful, that boss uses the pretext of being drunk to try and touch people.

Summary

• 〜にかこつけて means "using〜as a pretext; under the pretense of〜"
• Formation: 名詞 → 名詞 + にかこつけて
• This is an N1-level grammar pattern