From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishexplain yourselfexplain yourselfa) REASONto tell someone who is angry or upset with you the reasons why you did something I’m going to give you five seconds to explain yourself. b) EXPLAINto say clearly what you mean Sorry, I’m not explaining myself very well. → explain
Examples from the Corpus
explain yourself• Censure gives Mr Wahid three months to explain himself.• I knew I could explain myself.• I regard this as part of my life, a duty to explain myself.• When, eventually, he was admitted to the presence of the Chairman he would have perhaps fifteen minutes to explain himself.• I had explained myself, as I always did, but I could scarcely explain myself away.• Yet now, commanded to appear before elected officials, he had to explain himself, give an accounting of his views.• He waited for Ballater to explain himself or to state the reason for his visit.• John doesn't make excuses or explain himself to anybody.• She tried to speak, to call for help, to explain herself, to scream, but no words would come.• No, that's not what I meant. I guess I didn't explain myself very well. 