internalalibi
nounUK /ɪnˈtɜːnəl ˈælɪbaɪ/
US /ɪnˈtɜːrnəl ˈæləbaɪ/
A made-up reason inside your head that makes you feel okay about something you did.
When he forgot his friend's birthday, his internalalibi was that he had been too busy to check the calendar.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A private story someone tells themselves to avoid feeling guilty.
Her internalalibi kept her from apologizing for the harsh comment.
3. An inner explanation used to explain away a mistake without telling anyone.
His internalalibi for the late report was that the computer was slow, though he knew it was not true.
4. A mental note that protects a person's self-image after a failure.
The athlete's internalalibi after losing was that the weather had been unfair.