excuses - reason, vindication, mitigation, defense, justification, explanation, mitigating circumstances, pretext, pretense, ostensible reason, story, alibi, travesty of, poor specimen of, apology for, apology, self-justification, exculpation, acquit, let someone off (the hook), exonerate, pardon, absolve, exculpate, forgive

make - marque, brand, label, temperament, character, kidney, mold, nature, temper, stamp, disposition, shuffling, shuffle, assemble, produce, put together, fabricate, model, build, form, create, fashion, manufacture, construct, pressure

up - upwards, upward, upwardly, about, wide awake, conscious, out of bed, functioning, awake, alert, ready, willing, prepared, open, eager, familiar, informed, in touch, up-to-date, savvy, briefed, cognizant, versed, plugged in, astir