(n.) A shift for evasion or delay; an evasion; an excuse.

alibi out of apologize for apology blind cloak color cop-out cover cover story cover with excuses cover-up device excuse explain explanation facade feint front gloss guise handle lame excuse lie out of likely story locus standi make apology for mask offer excuse for ostensible motive out plea plead ignorance poor excuse pretense pretension pretext protestation public motive put-off refuge right screen semblance sham show smoke screen squirm out of stalking-horse stratagem subterfuge trick varnish veil worm out of