| make allowances for(expression, idiom, excuse, justify) |
| making good(expression, favor, excuse, justify, legitimize) |
| opt for(verb, expression, support, take, favor) |
| plead ignorance(expression, excuse, justify) |
| prove a case(expression, idiom, support, back, defend) |
| put in a good word(expression, idiom, support, back, defend) |
| say in defense(expression, idiom, support, back, defend) |
| second(support, back, defend) |
| settle on(verb, expression, support, take, favor) |
| speak on behalf of |
| sponsor(verb, support, promote, encourage, back) |
| stand by(noun, verb, expression, support, favor) |
| stonewall(support, back, defend) |
| take(verb, support, favor, back, choose) |
| take rap for(expression, idiom, excuse, justify) |
| thump for(expression, support, back, defend) |
| wink at(expression, excuse, justify) |
| winked at(expression, excuse, justify) |