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# plausible deniability

noun phrase (plausible deniability, uncountable); politics jargon

«plausible deniability» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, jargon) an arrangement that lets a leader say «I didn't know» about something bad, believably, because no one told them directly.

### In the lessons

Used in politics, spying and business to describe how leaders protect themselves from blame. Jargon register, all English-speaking countries; often used jokingly.

### Examples

- The boss kept plausible deniability by never reading the emails.
- Don't tell me what you did — I want plausible deniability.
- The government planned the secret mission with plausible deniability.
- The kids kept plausible deniability by not telling Mum who ate the cake.
- Journalists said the minister's plausible deniability was not so plausible.
- Plausible deniability means «I can say I didn't know».

### Note

«Plausible» = believable; «deniability» = being able to say no. It is about avoiding blame, often for something wrong. Plain words: being able to pretend you didn't know.