The signal for roll call gave him a welcome excuse to get away; three more minutes, he thought, and I would have had to make a date with her.

A dock of sheep grazed on the other side, and Anna and Ethan watched them as a welcome excuse to avoid looking at each other again.

I may be hard, but it looks to me like an excuse for not facing the real world - perhaps a welcome excuse.

The amnesty had given both of us a welcome excuse to heal our friendship.

Still, it was a welcome excuse to get away from the Queen's commands.

The isolation also gave him a welcome excuse to spend more time with Dhugal, before his son left on the summer progress with the king.

And a few excellent song recitals were a welcome excuse to deepen your acquaintance with Hugo Wolf (who died in 1903).

It provided him with a welcome excuse to avoid another confrontation with Rebecca.

On the other hand, large businesses are complaining of a shortage of specialist staff, often a welcome excuse for employing people at low wage rates.

Any excuse for an argument with him was a welcome excuse.