/ɪkˈspleɪn ||; ɪkˈsplen/verb [I,T]
explain (sth) (to sb) 1 to make sth clear or easy to understand 阐明；说明白；解释: She explained how I should fill in the form. 她教我怎样填表格。I don't understand this. Can you explain it to me? 这个我不明白，你可以解释一下吗？
You have to say 'Explain it to me ' NOT 'Explain me it'. This is wrong. 注意：要说 Explain it to me，不可以说 Explain me it。后者不对。 2 to give a reason for sth 说明理由；解释原因: ‘This work isn't very good.’ ‘I wasn't feeling very well.’ ‘Oh, that explains it then.’ “这工作做得不太好。”“我身体有点不舒服。”“怪不得了。”The manager explained to the customers why the goods were late. 经理向顾客解释了货物迟来的原因。
explain yourself 1 to give reasons for your behaviour, especially when it has upset sb 解释自己的行为（尤指令人不快的）
2 to say what you mean in a clear way 把自己的意思解释清楚
explain sth away to give reasons why sth is not your fault or is not important 为…辩解