10 Excuses That Are No Longer Convincing

Excuses—everyone has them, but some are so overused they’re impossible to ignore. Ever find yourself relying on an excuse that just doesn’t seem to work anymore? These tired lines have been said so many times that they’ve completely lost their credibility. Keep reading to discover the top excuses that are no longer fooling anyone.

Traffic Was Terrible

Blaming traffic is an excuse as old as time, but it’s one that’s harder to sell in the world of smart navigation apps. Real-time traffic updates mean you could’ve planned ahead or taken an alternate route. Let’s be real—half the time we use this excuse, the “traffic” was really just us leaving late.

I Forgot

Forgetting once might be forgivable, but constantly forgetting things makes people think you don’t prioritize what’s important to them. Sticky notes, reminders, and apps exist for a reason! It’s better to admit you messed up and promise to do better than to rely on “I forgot” as your go-to excuse.

I Didn’t See Your Message

In the age of smartphones, this excuse doesn’t hold much weight anymore. Notifications light up our screens constantly, and unless your phone battery dies (and stays dead for hours), claiming you didn’t see a message just sounds lazy. Worse, if the app shows a read receipt, you’re officially caught.

I Didn’t Have Time

Time is the one thing we all have in equal amounts, so claiming you “didn’t have time” sounds like an excuse for poor planning. Unless your schedule was packed with emergencies, chances are you just didn’t prioritize it. A better approach is to admit, “I didn’t prioritize this,” and make an effort to do so next time.

Something Came Up

Saying “something came up” leaves the other person wondering if you just didn’t want to show up. While it might save you from explaining yourself in the moment, it damages your reliability in the long run. People appreciate honesty, so try saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t make it,” without resorting to this overused phrase.

I Thought You Meant…

This excuse is all about feigned misunderstanding. Claiming you “thought the meeting was tomorrow” or “assumed the deadline was later” might buy you sympathy once, but it’s not foolproof. If it keeps happening, people will start to wonder if you’re bad at listening—or just avoiding responsibility.

Something More Important Came Up

Throwing this excuse out makes it seem like you’re trying to justify skipping a responsibility, but it rarely goes over well. Shifting blame to “bigger priorities” doesn’t excuse failing to communicate or manage your commitments. If something truly urgent happens, it’s better to explain the situation clearly.

My Alarm Didn’t Go Off

Blaming your alarm is one of the oldest tricks in the book, yet it’s rarely convincing. Alarm clocks are designed to work reliably, so the real issue lies in forgetting to set it or hitting snooze too many times. Making small adjustments to your schedule can eliminate this excuse entirely.

I Was Waiting For The Right Moment

Claiming to wait for the “perfect moment” sounds like stalling. The truth is that most ideal opportunities are created through action. This excuse usually stems from hesitation or procrastination. Taking small steps forward, even imperfectly, shows far more initiative than waiting for everything to align perfectly.

I’m Not Feeling Well

If you’re suddenly “under the weather” every time there’s an early meeting or an event you’d rather skip, people will catch on quickly. Claiming illness might work once or twice, but consistently using it raises eyebrows. Lastly, honesty fosters trust, and most people will understand if you’re clear about your situation.