dumb excuses for not doing homework

The 100 FUNNIEST Excuses For Not Doing Homework, Courtesy of My Students

Posted on Published: November 19, 2023

By: Author Jane Morris

Students throw out all kinds of excuses for not getting their homework done! From believable excuses to the tried and true classic “ my dog ate it” , teachers hear a lot of excuses every damn day.

It doesn’t help that by now, the behavioral expectations for students have become so loose that students can pretty much say whatever they want without consequence. These days, the excuses are that much more interesting. (And honest.)

Over the course of nearly two decades of teaching, I heard every homework excuse in the book. Better yet, I’ve saved my favorites! And rounded them up here for your viewing pleasure.

So let’s share in the giggles together! I’ve rounded up 100 of the BEST homework excuses I’ve ever heard. The laughs are good for the soul.

And probably your patience too! Some of these you’ve likely heard before. There might not be a lot of foolproof excuses for not doing your homework, but there sure are a lot of fools that come up with some real stinkers!

So for your enjoyment (and definitely not to be actually used in a real-life classroom), here are 100 odd, creative, nonsensical, and hilarious excuses from students for not doing their homework!

100 Funniest Excuses for Not Doing Homework: A Story of Student Shenanigans

If it’s your first day in the teaching profession , you might think homework excuses are few and far between. At the very least, you might think students bother making good excuses.

Well, you’d be wrong on both counts! You will be fed excuse after excuse from students for not having finished their homework, and very few of them will sound believable.

So new teachers, pay attention! Here is some of the ludicrousness you can expect from your class. And it WILL be on the test.

As for all my kindred season educators, sit back and enjoy the ride! Maybe grab a moist towelette…

Cause it’s about to get juicy.

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Homework Excuses That Are Pure Nonsense!

Man, kids say the silliest things to teachers . From being arrested by the FBI to simply having a gross pimple, the excuses for not having done homework often make no sense…

But they are highly entertaining!

• I got this thing where I can’t read.
• I was arrested by the FBI but it was a case of mistaken identity!
• The microwave was erasing all of my work and that’s why it was all turned in blank.
• I swear I did the work but the answers kept falling off my paper!
• My homework ate my dog!
• The elf on the shelf erased it.
• I had a crusty pimple.
• An electrostatic spark tore a hole in the space-time continuum. My paper was transported back through time and was found and published by a random person. Now I have to redo my assignment because it would be plagiarism to hand in my original.
• I care about trees too much to use paper.
• A gang broke into my house and stole the bag it was in.
• The military accidentally blew it up.
• My water bottle spilled in my backpack and it turned my homework into a brick of ice overnight.
• I did all my other homework and at that point, I needed personal time.
• I died in a car crash.
• I don’t care about homework because I don’t care about education.
• I was cooking grilled cheese and it was the last two pieces of bread and I burnt it and then I was really sad and I couldn’t do anything.
• I kept sneezing and picking the wrong answers because of that and I got frustrated so I just stopped doing it.

Excuses, Accidents, and Bathroom Mishaps

Look, we’ve all had a “little accident” . Only the worst teacher in the world would deny a student the facts of life.

But personal issues that maybe should stay personal are a go-to for slackers. Some funny homework excuses concern the crapper, and now we’re going to laugh at them. Take that, slackers!

• I was dealing with the ghost in the bathroom.
• I was taking a phat shit and it took forever.
• I had Taco Bell so I was in the bathroom the whole night.
• I took a crap and it stunk so I had to take a shower but then I had to crap again and then I showered again.
• I was really constipated.
• My mom forgot to buy toilet paper so I had to use my homework.
• I was doing it in my jacuzzi and it fell in.
• I had too many Hot Cheetos and had to ravage my toilet all night.

Mysterious Illnesses and TMI Reasons for Not Doing Homework

Your student’s poop schedule is one bit of TMI you could probably do without. Look, the uncomfortable truth of the teaching profession is that there will be poops, pees, spews, and TOO much information. The funniest homework excuses usually overspecify…

It comes with the territory. So whenever one of these incredibly questionable yet incredibly funny excuses for not doing homework rolls your way, the best thing you can do is jot it down.

So that, one day, you can put it in a blog post on the internet. Guilty!

• I was eating Takis in the car on the way here and I rubbed my eyes and had to pull over.
• My part was really itchy and I needed a shower.
• I dropped it in the toilet after I had gone to the bathroom.
• I was in intensive care having fluid drained from my lungs because I had pneumonia that I got when I was hit by a car.
• I had heart surgery last night (1st grader).

Excuses About Family Issues, Problems, and EMerghencies

We, as teachers bound to our duty, MUST be sensitive to the family issues and home lives of our students…

Unless they’re just making up excuses to get out of doing their homework! A solid fib about family issues is a classic reason students use to skip homework.

Now, will parents ever take responsibility for their kids not doing their homework? No, of course not! Parents will blame teachers. It’s their go-to M.O.

So next time you hear one of these clankers, note it down and feed it back to the parents. That’ll throw a spanner in the wheels of the little turds!

• I had to take my Nana out for cigarettes.
• I had to help my mom put the cucumbers in the fridge.
• I was practicing playing guitar so I could play a song for my mom’s birthday.
• My mom needed help putting cucumbers in the fridge.
• My sister broke my Chromebook screen because I wouldn’t give her a hug.
• My parents had diarrhea.
• My mom didn’t have time to do it.
• My dad said he doesn’t believe in homework so I don’t have to do it.
• My stepmom died again last night (for the 10th time).
• My dad made me watch TV instead.
• My dad ran it over with his truck.
• My mom drank too much beer to help me with it.
• My mom has radiation poisoning from Chernobyl and it messed up my brain.
• My grandma got lost at the mall and it took us hours to find her.
• My stepdad had a hook in his arm.
• My grandmother wouldn’t give me back my textbook which she had taken in retaliation for the theft of her wooden leg.
• My grandma accidentally took it with her to Mexico.
• I did the homework the day you gave it to us, except then my dad sold all of our notebooks.
• My grandpa said the work is stupid and you’re a moron.

Making Excuses About Special Events

“Damn, Miss, I was in Europe over the weekend.”

“Oh, you went for a weekend trip abroad as a 14-year-old? My apologies, allow me to rescind your homework requirements then.”

I honestly don’t know what some students are thinking with these reasons. But the stupidest homework excuses are my favorite. You can just let the kid talk and dig their own hole!

Perhaps, eventually, one of these definitely totally believable excuses will be the final straw for your inevitable nervous breakdown. But until then, just keep quoting them verbatim as teacher comments on their report cards .

Maybe one day someone will actually bother to read those things.

• I was getting married in the Sims and completely lost track of time.
• It was my birthday and I just wanted to get my hair done and get a cake.
• I was planning a funeral for my frog.
• I had to take down Halloween decorations.
• I had to get my nails done for prom.
• It was my bird’s birthday.
• I had to travel to Europe to stop WW3.
• I was at the beach and they didn’t have good WiFi.
• I was packing for the vacation I’ll be on for the next three weeks. Can I have the work I’ll miss?
• I had to brush my hair.

Extremely Honest Reasons to Not Do Homework

Look, sometimes all you really need to do is be honest . Did you not do your homework because you smoked a bowl and got marooned on the sofa with cartoons?

Screw it! Just tell the teacher that. Maybe they’ll give you a pass for your winning smile alone!

Much like all the ridiculous reasons to visit the school nurse , sometimes, the best reasons for not doing your homework require honesty.

What could possi-blye go wrong!

• I have no time management skills. On the bright side, I watched all of season 1 of Stranger Things today!
• I was eating Toaster Strudels.
• My 24-hour ban from Call of Duty ended today and I need to get some rounds in.
• My favorite soccer team lost.
• I was smoking weed with my friends and the next thing I knew it was morning and I had to come to school again.
• It just didn’t fit into my schedule today.
• I’m just, like, really lazy.
• I had better things to do.
• We thought it was Saturday yesterday.
• I don’t need to do homework because NCAA scouts have been coming to see me play and I’m gonna get a scholarship.
• I had to go to church but I’m pretty sure God will understand.

Animal Problems – “My Dog Ate My Homework” and Other Variants

I’m not saying your students are animals (though they certainly behave like animals ).

I AM saying that students will make excuse after excuse for not doing their homework courtesy of their pets. They’re the perfect culprit! Who’s ever going to interrogate your furry friend for cross-examination?

Only the teachers who are crazy enough. ;)

• My dog peed on my laptop and it took a few days to dry.
• My cat ran over the keyboard and deleted the whole thing.
• My dog doesn’t like going to the bathroom alone so I had to watch him and he took forever.
• We had a cow in labor, and it was stuck in the hips of the cow, and I couldn’t get it out myself.
• I was with my new guinea pig and it was really distracting.
• The dog pooped and my baby brother fell in it.
• I accidentally locked my cat with my brother’s cat, and I don’t know if my cat got pregnant, but I think she is because she tried to go under my bed, and she never does that.
• There was a roach on the floor so I couldn’t get down off the bed the whole afternoon.
• My dog had puppies on top of my book bag and it was gross so my dad threw my book bag away.
• My cat threw up on it.
• My duck pooped on it.
• My dad accidentally threw my project away and a raccoon went into the trash can and destroyed it.
• My friend’s cat is having an abortion.
• A donkey ate it.
• The squirrels on the roof were distracting me.
• My dog died three years ago.
• I was doing a photo shoot with my bunny.
• My dog looked sad.
• I was doing my homework outside and a bird grabbed it and flew away.
• I got attacked by a raccoon on the way to school and he only went for the homework and ate it in front of me.
• My pet parrot flew into the fireplace and caught on fire. It then proceeded to fly around the room, and his dad tried to hit it with a frying pan because he was afraid the curtains would go up in flames if the parrot went close to them. With all the drama, I forgot to do my homework.
• My grandmother’s potbelly pig ate my homework.
• I got distracted shopping online for furniture for my turtle.

Funny Homework Excuses and Technical Difficulties

Oh, man – I saw some whoppers of excuses in the remote learning era of COVID-19!

Technical difficulties are the perfect excuse students make to skip out on their homework. They think they’re more tech-savvy than teachers…

Little did they know that a teacher’s BS-meter is far more finely calibrated than their excuses will ever be!

• Google erased my work.
• I don’t have internet access (sent in an email).
• I just kept hitting the submit button over and over and over and it didn’t make a click sound or anything.
• My mom threw my “lab top” out the window and when I went outside to get it, it was gone.
• I accidentally lit my Chromebook on fire
• My dog peed on my Chromebook

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The Final Excuse for Not Doing Your Homework…

Reason #100:

• “But, Miss! You said to do questions 1-10. You didn’t say bring them in!”

Check and mate.

Thus concludes our list of the 100 funniest excuses for not doing their homework, all thanks to the countless students who skipped out on their work.

Stay on guard though. With the rise of AI and homework excuse generators , the excuses only get more advanced!

So stay switched on out there! If it’s not funny excuses for not doing homework, it’s straight-up silly reasons for being absent and everything else under the sun.

Jot them down, collect them, and then (if you’re feeling spicy), post them in the comments down below. Why stop at 100? Gotta catch ’em all!

Stay miserable out there, teacherinos. The excuses and excuses never stop coming! So maybe come up with your own…

“Oh, no, sorry, Lucy. I CAN’T return your confiscated phone. My dog ate it.”

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49 Best Excuses For Not Doing Homework

• February 10, 2024

Last Updated on February 10, 2024 by Ketan

No, you can’t use ‘I’d a fever’ as the best excuse for not doing homework. 

Because someone already has the same reason. And it’s too regular. 

Also, blaming a dog for biting out your assignment book is totally unbelievable.

Then you may ask, what to say when the teacher asks ‘Where’s your homework?’ 

Well, don’t worry to help you out in such a situation, we provide you with all the fresh, believable excuses to give. 

That your teacher will accept it as a valid reason for missing your assignment.

( Note: This is just for entertainment purposes. Please don’t make a habit of relying on these excuses every day. Better if you do your homework on time.) 

Good Excuses For Not Doing Homework

You know you must do your exam on time.

But you didn’t get the right time or mood to actually sit and complete it. 

Whether you’ve played all day, overslept, or just not doing homework anyway, you need something to say to your teacher as a valid reason. 

Have these good reasons to convince your teacher why you came to school without the homework. 

1. “Someone told me that the date of submission is extended.” 

2. “I have done my homework, but I forget where I put my notebook.” 

3. “We have surprised guest visitors and they stay the whole day.” 

4. “Because I didn’t know where to start, I’m unable to complete the homework.”

5. “There’s some fixing work going on at my home, especially in my room.” 

6. “I was about to do homework, but I don’t understand a thing.”

7. “There were some other priorities. More important than homework.”

8. “I have a reason, but I can’t share it with you, please believe me.” 

9. “I’ve misplaced the notebooks, still unable to find them. So I couldn’t complete it.” 

10. “There was a rumor that you were on leave today.”   

11. “I had no time for homework because there are so many things going on at home.” 

12. “My family and I were out of the city the entire day yesterday and we returned late.”

13. “After school, I have to work at our family business. My dad already trained me for it.”  

14. “I forgot my bag here so I’m not able to complete it at home.”

15. “Thought I would do it late at night, but I slept quite earlier than usual.” 

16. “My entire day went into doing some extracurricular, and I didn’t get time for homework.”

READ NEXT:  Great Comebacks For Your Kids

Funny Reasons For Not Doing Homework

Well, some excuses are so ridiculous that they make your teacher and your fellow students laugh. 

Indeed, there is a risk of you appearing dumb in front of your class. 

But because it’s a hilarious and creative reason, it might still work in your favor. 

Or at least to come up with new excuses than anyone else can think of.

1. “It was my birthday yesterday. And, I don’t want to celebrate it by doing just homework.”

2. “My parents brought a pet for me. So I played with him the whole day.”

3. “After I completed my homework, my sibling ripped my assignment apart.” 

4. “I’ve to babysit my little brother with nobody at home to take care of us.” 

5. “I was lost in the mall while going shopping with my mum and found it in the evening.”

6. “My elder sibling has thrown my assignment book in the trash.”

7. “Our cousin used my homework to make a paper plane and they just flew it.”

8. “My family wants me to go to a boarding school, so I’m just getting ready for it.”  

9.  “I was looking for the right time to get it done, but I didn’t get it .” 

10. “My mom and dad fought and the entire day went on just to settle things down.” 

11. “My grandparents visited our home yesterday, and I’ve been busy with them.” 

12. “Because there is so much homework for different subjects, I can’t do any of them.” 

13. “My internet went off while you’ve given the assignments to us.” 

14. “I accept that I didn’t do my homework now, but I promise to complete it tomorrow.” 

15. “There’s some family issue going on at home. So, I’m unable to complete the assignment.”

16. “My dad took my bag for some reason and today I have to come with a spare bag.”

17. “This is the first time I forgot the lesson, and you have to understand that I have some reason for that.”

Believable Excuses For Not Doing Homework

Whatever reason you are about to give for not completing your assignment, your teacher will judge it logically. 

So you just can’t share any reason that’s on your mind. 

Be careful with your reasons or excuses before saying why you didn’t do your homework. 

If you want some believable reasons that your teacher can’t deny, here’s the whole list of them. 

1. “I asked my dad to help me with my homework, but he doesn’t know a thing either.” 

2. “I’ve saved my assignment, but I don’t know where it is now. The file is lost on the PC.” 

3. “I forgot to save my homework and all the work was just gone.” 

4. “There were system errors on my PC. So it was not possible to do homework.” 

5. “My computer just got hacked and I must delete everything including homework.” 

6. “I felt the pain in my writing hand, and now I’m feeling better.”

7. “After school, we had to go to some event and I lost my bag somewhere there.” 

8. “I thought today was a holiday. So I didn’t do it.”

9. “Remember I told you that my computer is in repair, the technician hasn’t returned it.” 

10. “I’ve been at an important event with my family and came back this morning.” 

11. “It was my sister’s marriage, so I was not able to complete my homework.” 

12. “I was stuck in the giant toy car the whole day and not able to do homework later.”

13. “We bought a new TV. So, me and my brother watched our cartoon the whole day.” 

14. “I was helping other kids in school to complete assignments, but I forgot mine.” 

15. “My notebook fell into our swimming pool and I couldn’t save it in time.”

16. “It’s not my dog, but my cat peed on my notebook. I couldn’t bring my notebook today, but I will tomorrow.”

READ NEXT:  Smart Responses To Every ‘Why?’ Question

We all agree that we have the entire day to do it, but the best time to do homework is ‘the last hour’ before submission. 

But sometimes you can’t even do your homework in that precious time, too. 

Because you don’t want to do it, or just give up. 

When you fail to do or submit your assignment last time, you need some good excuses for not doing homework that your teacher could believe and accept. 

We hope we’ve suggested the best reasons to share to be safe this time. 

But Hey, next time you do your homework properly, Right? 

This list covers last-minute excuses to get you another chance. 

Hope this frees you from any punishments or embarrassment at school. 

But, promise us, that you will do your homework on time from now on. We don’t want you to use these excuses anymore, too.

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Specialized in marketing, with 'communication' as a favorite subject, Ketan P. is a head writer at 'Better Responses'. He loves to share his unique perspectives and ways to make everyday conversations a bit 'lively'.

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51 Best Homework Excuses (Serious, Funny, Strict Teachers)

Homework. No one wants to do it. But no one wants to get in trouble either. So, here are some of the best homework excuses that are serious, funny, and might even work for strict teachers!

As a teacher myself, I’ve heard most of these excuses. I laughed at a few and rolled my eyes at most.

At the end of the day, you’re only going to get away with not doing homework if you’ve got a solid excuse and a bunch of evidence to back it up. Good luck!

Read Also: 27 Pros and Cons of Homework

Cliché Homework Excuses

These are terrible homework excuses that, really, students should avoid. They might be fun to use, but most of them have been over-used. Your teacher won’t believe you unless you’ve brought some evidence along with you.

1. My Dog ate my Homework. Look, no one’s ever going to believe this one. Maybe avoid it unless you want to spend lunch time inside catching up.

2. My Computer Broke. This one’s more believable but it’s been over-used. Thanks to all the liars out there, this homework excuse is well and truly ruined.

3. My Mom Forgot It. Nothing like blaming your mother for your own failures. Most teachers would probably tell you to take a little personal responsibility and send you on your way.

4. The Internet was Out. As believable as any excuse, your teacher might tell you that you’d better buy yourself an old hardback encyclopedia.

5. My Grandma Died. Again. The oldest excuse in the book, I always ask for evidence of this. Some people seem to have 15 grandmas.

6. The Older Kids Took it off me and Tore it Up. Chances are, your teacher’s going to be very concerned by this. They might even escalate this to a disciplinary issue!

Related: A List of Extension Excuses for College Students

Funny Homework Excuses

These ones might get a laugh out of your teacher and your classmates. But, you’re not likely to get out of trouble in the long run.

7. My Mother wanted to Display it on the Fridge. You might get a few laughs from your friends out of this one. But, your teacher is going to tell you to go home, take it off the fridge, and bring it to class!

8. The Police Confiscated it as Evidence. This one might make your teacher pause and wonder. Why is it confiscated? Is it so poorly written that the police consider it an outrage? Maybe your joke will deflect them from punishing you, though.

9. I was Abducted by Aliens and They took It. If your teacher believes this one, let me know. I’ve got some air guitars to sell them.

10. I sent it to you in the Post. In this day and age, you might have to tell your teacher they should wait a few months to it arrive. The postal service isn’t what it used to be.

11. My Dad mistook it for a Letter and Posted it to China. Funny, but clearly not true. Your teacher is going to ask one simple question: why is your dad sending letters to China?

12. I had to burn it in the Fireplace to keep myself Warm. Like Pablo Escobar burning cash, you’ve thrown caution to the wind and thrown your homework book into the fire because, well, if you didn’t, you wouldn’t have survived the freezing cold night.

13. It flew out the Window of the Car. Just picture it. You’re frantically doing your homework on the drive to school. Your dad winds down the window and – woosh – the homework’s gone for good. And class is in just 15 minutes!

14. I thought I’d do it Tomorrow because I’ll be Older and Wiser Then. A clever joke, but you’re probably going to be known as the class clown from that moment onwa rd!

15. I did my Work. It’s all Up Here in my Head. Be prepared for your teacher to give you a snap quiz on the spot if you’re bold enough to say you’ve got it all in your head! But, if you pull it off, maybe you’ll get away without too much trouble.

16. I didn’t do it because I didn’t want to add to your Workload. Sure, it sounds nice, but your teacher will see right through this cheeky response. But hey, when you’ve got nothing to lose it’s worth a try.

17. My Hand fell Asleep and I didn’t want to Wake It. Imagine you were trying so hard to do your homework and write down those answers. But, your hand just wouldn’t obey your command!

18. My Cat ate it knowing that I’d Blame the Dog. This one’s a funny twist on “my dog ate my homework” that might just get a laugh out of your teacher (and a little bit of leniency).

Related: Excuses for Skipping Class in College

Excuses For Strict Teachers

Okay, here’s where things get serious. If you’ve got a teacher who you know is going to be mad, you need to come into this with a plan. Usually, that means providing evidence to support your excuse.

19. I was Sick. And I have a Sick Note. Being sick (genuinely!) is one of the few reasons for not doing your homework that might actually work. You’re going to want to be able to present a note from your parent and maybe even a doctor.

20. My Mother or Father went to Hospital. And here’s the Sick Note. If your mom or dad is in hospital, chances are you’re going to get a free pass. Bring evidence, even if it’s a photo of dad in the hospital bed with tubes coming out of his nose!

21. My Computer Screen Broke. And here’s a Picture. I’ve actually gotten this one from students a few times and it really took me back. I thought: “is this legit, or is this image from 3 years ago?” A receipt from the computer repair store with a date on it is usually a better piece of evidence. But then again, why didn’t you go to the library?

22. The computer broke, but here are my hand-written notes. I’m usually pretty impressed by this excuse. Your computer broke, but you still made the effort to give the homework a go anyway. Great resilience!

23. The wi-fi didn’t work, but here are my hand-written notes. This excuse is very similar to the previous one. If you turn up with nothing and say the wi-fi broke, the teacher probably won’t accept that excuse. But if you actually tried to write some notes anyway, well done!

24. I wasn’t here when the work was assigned. This is an excellent homework excuse for strict teachers. It’s really quite legitimate. How were you supposed to know you had homework!?

25. I tried, but I didn’t understand the Instructions. This puts the onus back on the teacher. Why didn’t they provide clearer instructions? It’s usually a good idea to show some evidence that you at least gave it a go, though.

26. I volunteer at the soup kitchen on Monday Nights. Everyone loves a good Samaritan. If it gets you out of homework, well, that’s just the universe giving you good karma.

27. I’m so sorry. I thought it was right here in my Bag! This one helps show that it at least is a genuine mistake.

28. I had way too much Homework for my other Class. Follow this one up with “You should talk to that teacher about how their overbearing homework requirements are impacting your students!”

29. The Library was Closed and I don’t have Internet at Home. This one might get you a little more sympathy. The fact you don’t have internet at home means you’re not as privileged as many other kids, so your teacher might let you off lightly.

Related: Fun Things to do when Bored in Class

Truthful Homework Excuses

30. I was too busy doing something more important. Your teacher is instantly going to say “what was more important than your education?” Don’t respond with “video games.”

31. My parents kept me really busy on the weekend. But I promise I’ll do it tonight. One thing I would say about this excuse is that you’re saying “Hey, take it up with my parents. I wanted to do some homework!” But, you’re also saying you’ve got a plan to get it done asap.

32. I was at football practice all night. Many teachers will still say “learning comes before sports” (which, as a teacher, I agree with). But, you’ve got a leg to stand on here. You don’t want to let your team down, which is fair.

33. I did my homework, but I left it at home. This excuse does show that you at least put the effort in. But, you failed at the finish line! Come to class tomorrow with the homework and you’ll win back some respect from your teacher.

34. I forgot I even had homework. Hey, it’s truthful. But you’re not going to get any sympathy for this one.

35. The computer didn’t break. It was the Printer this time! An excuse that’s almost as bad as “my computer broke”, the printer issues excuse at least needs some photographic evidence to back it up. And, why didn’t you email the homework to your teacher?

36. I had a Headache. Headaches are the worst. As a teacher myself, I’d probably have a little sympathy for this excuse if it’s a one-off. But, I’d expect my student to bring a note from the parent to corroborate the story.

37. The homework was far too Easy. This isn’t a good reason not to do homework. Your teacher is going to expect you to absolutely ace your next test.

38. My tutor accidentally took it home with them. Nothing like blaming your tutor for your own problems. As a teacher, I’d probably roll my eyes and tell you that you need to keep better track of your things.

39. I accidentally squished it in the bottom of my bag and now it’s got rotten apple juice all over it. This one’s funny to me because, well, as a kid this always used to happen to me. Rotten bananas were usually the culprit.

40. I spilled cereal all over it because I was doing it over breakfast. This sounds believable. I would tell my student the should at least show me the ruined homework as evidence. And, I’d also tell them that breakfast isn’t the best time to do your homework.

See a List of 11 Homework Statistics

Blame the Parents

41. My parents don’t believe in homework and won’t let me do it. There are some parents like this. If a student said this to me, I’d be on the phone to the parents. So, if you don’t want your teacher to call your parents, don’t use this excuse.

42. My mother said band practice was more important. It’s really hard for teachers to argue with parents via the student. But in my experience the teacher usually responds with: “you need to have better organization skills to get all of these things done in your own time!”

43. I help my father at work on a Tuesday afternoon. I just can’t get it done on Tuesdays. Once again, the teacher is likely going to tell you to have more organization skills. But, you might occasionally get an extension out of this. Especially if you let the teacher know in advance.

44. My father looked at it, said it was outrageous government indoctrination, and told me not to do it. While I think this is hilarious, it’s also something that happens a lot these days. Why is this world so divided? Science isn’t controversial, people!

45. My mother was looking over my homework and forgot to give it back to me. Okay, time for me to put my teacher voice on: “She didn’t forget to give it back to you. You forgot to ask for it back.”

46. My mother threw it in the trash. This must have been frustrating to you! A teacher with a quick wit will respond: “it shouldn’t have looked like trash then. You must have done a bad job!” Or, a more serious teacher might just tell you that you need to be more organized net time.

Blame the Teachers

47. You give too much Homework. There are plenty of people out there in this world who think teachers do give too much homework. They believe it’s not fair and it’s preventing children from leading a balanced and healthy life.

48. Your instructions are impossible to understand. This one really puts the pressure back on the teacher because you’re basically telling them that they’re bad at their job.

49. This was way too hard for me. You need to give me more guidance. Sometimes, it’s true, teachers do assign homework that’s way too hard. You do need to be resourceful and find ways to learn yourself. But at the same time, the teacher really should know better.

50. The homework is too easy. It’s a complete waste of my time. Assigning homework is like playing Goldilocks. It can’t be too hard, can’t be too easy.

51. Between you and all my other teachers, you’re assigning hours of homework every night. You all need to get together and resolve this. This one’s surely going to set a cat amongst the pigeons. The teachers are going to talk about this at their next staff meeting. But, they might coordinate and come back at you as a united front!

FAQ: How to Get Out of Doing Homework?

The best ways to get out of doing homework are to:

• Let the teacher know in advance that you won’t be able to do it. Teachers respond better when you give them an excuse before time, not after.
• Bring evidence of why you didn’t do it. If you want your teacher to truly believe your excuse, you need evidence. This can be notes, photos, receipts, or anything else proving your story is true.

Really, the best way to avoid any issues is to just do the homework in the first place. But if you’re reading this article, chances are the horses have left the stable. You’re at a stage where you’ve got to come up with an excuse because in 10 minutes your teacher is going to be asking you why you haven’t done anything!

Well, good luck with that! I hope you don’t get into too much trouble, but I also hope you learn that next time the best solution is to just get that homework done in advance.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
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Funniest Excuses You Can Cite for Not Doing Your Homework

Table of Contents

The life of students is quite funny. As teachers keep assigning tasks to students, they keep on coming up with innovative excuses at the same pace. While the excuses were limited to health and family issues a decade back, today’s students are getting more creative with justifications.

Some of them are believable, while others are not.

Doing homework helps one get acquainted with the topic, which helps in gaining knowledge and performing well in exams. The fact that good assignments lead to elevating grades is not new, yet students make excuses for not doing it.

Some common reasons include insufficient time, electricity breakout, or health issues. Once in a while, it can be true, but some students have adapted to the habit of making excuses.

Today we are going to share some of the funniest, most relatable and most believable excuses that students come up with for not doing their homework.

Let’s start off with the common and general excuses

Excused Related to Technical Difficulties

Let’s look into some of the common technical difficulties which students face which lead them to

• Computer or internet issues

In this digital era, most work is done online on computers. Relying online to gain exclusive facts and looking through journals and articles are common. Students who do not have proper resources will have trouble framing assignments.

” Sorry, sir, my internet was not working. Hence I couldn’t complete my essay on time”.

• Printer or scanner problems

Not having printer or scanner can be another trouble. Images, papers, and materials are needed need to be printed as hard copies for smooth functioning.

“My printer got stuck, so I had to go to the repair shop. It took all my time, and I cannot do my homework on time”.

Excused Due to a Lack of Understanding

• Difficult assignment or unclear instructions

Every student has that one subject which makes their faces sulk. When assigned to those topics, students feel confused and face hurdles like researching, organizing, writing and even editing.

Even unclear instructions on the assignments can blur clarity. Students need direction on the assignments to follow, and without it coming up with unique ideas can be a big task.

• Challenging subject matter

One can be good in chemistry but not in maths; others can be good in maths but not chemistry.

There is always that one subject which is extremely difficult to comprehend. To avoid doing assignments on those, students often find excuses to avoid doing it.

Excuses Stemming from Personal Reasons

• Family emergencies

Some students also face family emergencies due to which they cannot complete assignments on time. Death, sickness and too many responsibilities can be a few reasons.

“My grandmother got ill last night suddenly. Hence, I am unable to submit my paper on time.”

• Illness or health issues

Students cannot complete assignments due to death, sickness and too many responsibilities too. Sudden emergencies in the family or even ill health of students can affect the time for homework composition.

“My migraine has been getting worse for the last few days. My doctor has recommended avoiding paperwork for now.”

Legit Excuses Due to Time Constraints

Facing time constraints is one of the most common reasons for students for late submission.

•   Overwhelming workload

“I am still trying to settle in my dorm. As soon as I am done, I promise to submit all my pending tasks.”

Native students studying abroad must focus on their studies while filling up the gaps in their personal lives. They have tremendous pressure on studies, mental well-being and health, limiting the time to focus solely on assignments.

• Extracurricular activities or part-time job

“I was working the whole night due to my night shift. My assignment is complete, but it still needs finishing touches. Please allow me a day to make it up to the work.

Students with more responsibilities on their shoulders also take up part-time jobs. And some follow other interests through extracurricular activities. Both jobs and extracurriculars lessen the time that could have been utilized to focus on academic tasks.

The Most Creative Excuses Ever

Now let’s get into some of the creative excuses which students have come up with recently

• Pet destroyed homework

“Sir, my cat scratched my notes”. Or ” Sir, my dog spilt food over my homework”. 

These may sound funny, but pet parents suffer through these issues and sometimes it can make a good excuse for them.

• Pet swallowed or hid homework

Students who are new to having pets can have their homework swallowed, which is not a good scene. Even if this does not always happen, it makes up for a funny excuse.

“My cat scratched and ate my entire homework”

“I was playing with my dog and he suddenly found my assignment and hid it in a secret place”

Environmental Excuses for Not Doing Homework

Over the years, we have seen a lot of concerns regarding the environment and sustainability. Here is how students have started using environmental issues as excuses for not doing homework:

• Natural disasters affecting homework completion

Students who live in areas prone to earthquakes, floods or landslides can come up with the excuse of being unable to complete due to natural calamities.

“There was a landslide due to heavy rain and it has done tremendous damage to the property including my homework”.

• Power outages or blackouts

Power outage is quite common in rural areas. Those who face frequent electricity breakouts and do not have alternative means to make up for it can also use a lack of electricity as an excuse.

“Due to poor electric conditions we have a blackout the entire day due to which I could not work on my homework”.

Bizarre and Unconventional Excuses

• Alien abduction

“I was doing my homework when I saw a UFO outside my window. I glared at it when I suddenly saw a strange. I ran away from the room and came back with a bat. But found out that my window was open and my homework was gone”. I guess aliens can read and write.

• Time travel mishaps

I decided to take a nap on Sunday and then do my homework. I woke up after 2 hours, did my homework, and did my usual daily chores. The next thing I knew, it was Monday morning, and I had not completed my homework. I guess I was dreaming or travelling in time which should have been the future”.

Yes, it sounds funny, but students also use these as excuses.

How to Make Your Excuses Believable? Strategies for Using Excuses

Unless your excuse is believable and matches your story, you would get caught up in your lies due to loopholes due to poor planning.

” Mam, I need 2 days to work on my homework because my father is ill “  is something which needs a sad tone rather than a cheerful tone.

Hence body language, tone and the way you appear matter too.

Having an expression of remorse to show guilt but being ready to take responsibility also brings huge change.

However, we would always suggest students be a bit more responsible and ask for help rather than making excuses. There will always be that one friend, sibling or teacher who can help you overcome the genuine troubles you face during assignment composition.

Consequences of Giving Excuses and Alternatives to It

Everything comes with consequences. Although making up excuses may look like you got saved, there will be certain downsides which you will notice in the end.

Those who get into the habit of making up excuses end up being deceptive and ineffectual. In the long run, they are unreliable and do not learn anything. Skills, talents, and knowledge are some that such students face.

Growing up, we all have faced ups and downs, and sometimes legitimate reasons make us use excuses. Even in the worst situations, it would be better to be transparent and seek extra time and help honestly rather than make up false excuses. If not stopped, this habit can deeply get embedded in the personality, affecting one greatly.

A good way of giving up on doing homework-related excuses is by developing good study habits. Have a good timetable and follow proper time management skills to get work done on time. Students who do not take education, time and vitality seriously will always look for excuses.

By now, you know some of the obvious and creative excuses students can use. Some are specific and sounds believable, while others hang on the thread of rationality. But at the end of the day, they are all excuses which are means of running away from doing academic tasks.

Although it sometimes gets difficult to focus on all kinds of assignments, students should learn how to beat the cons rather than being a pro at lying. Being honest with their studies and homework will benefit them in the future and make them more responsible. Coming up with excuses is an indirect way of adopting lies that can affect the personality in the long run.

Students should be encouraged to work with honesty and offered sufficient time to work on their tasks. Those lacking efficient time and resources often come up with these excuses which could be lessened if professors and parents are willing to assist students.

The Stupidest yet Funny Excuses for Not Doing Homework

The list of making excuses does not end there. Here are some of the other funniest excuses which we have heard from students for not doing homework:

• I was doing my homework on the rooftop for fresh air. Suddenly a gush of strong wind came and blew my assignment.
• I kept my homework on the table. My servant thought it was just a piece of paper and threw it away.
• My instincts told me that if I did my homework today, I would fail the final exam; hence I didn’t do it.
• I knew my English essay was the best, so I didn’t bring it in to let other students have their time to shine.
• I asked (a friend) to bring my homework, but he didn’t come today.
• I went to my grandma’s house and left it there.
• My sister was sobbing in the bus station, and I had no tissue paper. So I gave her my papers to console her.
• My house had a gas leak, and I couldn’t go in to get it.
• I put it in my bag this morning; a pickpocket must have stolen it.
• Sorry sir, I forgot the last deadline date.

Stupidest Excuses for Not Doing Homework to Use with Your Parents

If you want some excuses which involve your parents to sound more believable, then here they are:

• My father had diarrhoea, and he took my assignment as we had no tissue paper. That’s the last time I saw it.
• My mother is sick, and I was helping her with house chores.
• My father told me to work on my physics assignment rather than history because I wanted to be an astronaut.
• My little sister had locked it in her piggy suitcase, and we couldn’t find the key.
• My father mistook my file for his and took it to the office.
• I went to my grandfather’s home over the weekend in the countryside, and he buried it as we had no wood.
• We had a big fight last night, so I could not dedicate time to assignment making.
• It was my parent’s anniversary, so I was planning a good dinner for them.
• My sister had a toothache, so I had to rush her to the hospital.
• My parents were not home last night, and I looked after my younger siblings.

Stupidest Excuses for Not Doing Homework to Use with Your Classmates

Here are some of the funny excuses which we see students make with their classmates

• I fought with a friend, and she tore my homework.
• I bought it to school, but now I can’t find it, someone must have stolen it.
• My friend told she would bring my homework, but she is absent.
• My friend promised to help me with my homework, but she didn’t.
• My friend and I decided to do our homework together but couldn’t due to last-minute family emergencies.
• Two of my friends and I were planning to do it together. Since one of my friends could not complete her part, our thesis is not done.
• My project mate is out of town. Hence our project would need some extra time.
• My classmate left our homework at his house and couldn’t find it the next day.

What are the best excuses for not doing homework?

Ans. Some of the best excuses for not doing homework are:

· I couldn’t complete it due to a lack of research material

· My mother was ill. Hence, I had lack of time

· I got caught up in life roles and responsibilities, so my work was incomplete.

· It was raining heavily and we had a leak on roof spilling rain water on my task.

· I switched my assignment with my brother.

· I was at sports practice.

What to tell your teacher when you don’t do your homework?

Ans. When students do not do their homework, they come up with innovative excuses which can be related to health, electricity, family problems or even personal ones. Such as

· I had fever so I couldn’t do my homework.

· We just got a new pet hence I did not have time to do it

· We are having renovation at home so I could not do my essay.

How do you write a letter to your teacher with your best excuse for not doing your homework or classwork?

Ans. A letter to a teacher should always be formal. State why you cannot submit your assignment, followed by a sincere apology along with the scheduled dates on which you will be submitting your work.

How can I excuse my teacher for not doing homework?

Ans. Some of the best excuses to make for not doing your homework are:

· I couldn’t do my homework because I was sick

· I broke my leg last night

· My father was sick

· I confused the dates and didn’t bring my assignment today.

How do I apologize to my teacher for not doing homework?

Ans. Sincerely apologizing by telling the real reason would help students get more extended time with honesty. Students who lie end up make more lies until they are caught, which leads to a bad reputation.

Hi, I am Mark, a Literature writer by profession. Fueled by a lifelong passion for Literature, story, and creative expression, I went on to get a PhD in creative writing. Over all these years, my passion has helped me manage a publication of my write ups in prominent websites and e-magazines. I have also been working part-time as a writing expert for myassignmenthelp.com for 5+ years now. It’s fun to guide students on academic write ups and bag those top grades like a pro. Apart from my professional life, I am a big-time foodie and travel enthusiast in my personal life. So, when I am not working, I am probably travelling places to try regional delicacies and sharing my experiences with people through my blog. 

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12 of the Funniest Excuses for Not Doing Your Homework

Homework is something that a lot of students choose not to do, even though they know they can get into a lot of trouble for skipping it. If you’re an educator, you’ve probably heard an unlimited number of excuses from your students, and some of them might have been absolutely hilarious.

From a student’s perspective, homework can be a serious obstacle to doing things they love, such as meeting with friends, playing video games or watching their favorite TV shows. In fact, a Chinese study found that more than 70 percent of schoolchildren don’t like homework .

Who’s going to want to do that math homework or write college papers when a new Marvel comic book has just been released, right?

So, when students begin to realize that they won’t complete the homework in time, they try to come up with believable excuses, which can be extremely creative, weird or funny.

So, to celebrate the inventive excuses students use to get out of homework, we’ve gathered some of the best from across the internet in the list below, enjoy.

1. “My brother’s friend , who came to our house yesterday, said he could eat paper, and I didn’t believe him. So he decided to show how much paper he could eat and grabbed my homework right out of my desk. I didn’t see that it was my homework and realized that it was too late.”

2. “ My dad needs a paper shredder for work, and it was delivered to our house yesterday. He wanted to show us how it works and mistakenly took my homework and destroyed it.”

3. “ My mom once said that she wanted my best homework framed. When I completed all the work yesterday, I said to her that it was the best because I did everything right, even the tasks for extra credit. Today, I couldn’t find it so I went to my mom. She said she had to have it framed because it was my best homework!”

4. “ I didn’t do my homework because I figured I’d do it tomorrow, because I’ll be older, and therefore be wiser, then.”

5. “ Yesterday, I didn’t have time to complete the homework because I was at the rally all day. The rally was calling for an increase to teacher pay, so I had to be there.”

6. “ To be honest, I didn’t do my homework because I know how heavy your current workload is and I didn’t want to add to it. I thought that I could give you some more free time.”

7. “ Well, incredible story. I was going to school this morning and it was very windy. I carried the homework in my hands, but it slipped out of them and blew away. I tried to chase it for a couple of blocks, so that’s why I’m late to class.”

8. “ While I was getting ready for school this morning, I was putting some books inside my backpack. When it was time for my homework, my mom said she needed to see me in the kitchen right away. I went there, and when I came back, my homework wasn’t there. Clearly, my dad accidentally took it to work because his briefcase was next to my backpack.”

9. “ I was in the school yard when I heard some student saying bad things about you. I felt like that should let him know that he was wrong. It would be wrong to hurt him, so I thought a good way was to throw something at him. I quickly looked through my backpack, but the only thing I could find was the homework I had to submit today. After hesitating a bit, I let him have it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find it afterward; someone must have taken it.”

10. “ My grandpa was on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” yesterday, so he asked me if I would be available for a call if he didn’t know an answer and had to call a friend. I absolutely had to be there for him, so I didn’t have any time to complete today’s homework.”

11. “ After completing my essay yesterday, I looked at my assignment once again and realized that it was so good that it could make other students in the class feel bad about theirs. I decided not to hurt their feelings and left it at home. What can I say, I’m a great essay writer .”

12. “ I was sunbathing near the pool yesterday and doing the homework at the same time. When I was about done, something pushed me forward and I dropped my work right into the pool. It was so wet I couldn’t put it together, so I don’t have it right now.”

Just a Drop in the Ocean

The amount of homework is steadily increasing , so more and more students are finding creative excuses to avoid it. We collected just a small amount in this article, but there are literally thousands of excuses like these, and students keep coming up with new ones.

Hope these excuses brighten your mood right for the rest of the day!

Lucy Benton is a writing coach, an editor who finds her passion in expressing own thoughts as a blogger. She is constantly looking for the ways to improve her skills and expertise. Lucy also has her own blog, Prowritingpartner.com , where you can check her last publications. If you’re interested in working with Lucy , you can find her on Twitter .

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14 Hilarious Homework Excuses

If you're an educator, you've undoubtedly heard your fair share of excuses from students who don't have their assigned homework with them, which can range from plausible to hilariously absurd.

We've compiled some of the best homework excuses that educators in our Facebook community have heard during their time in the wacky world of teaching.

Students' Best Excuses 

This piece was originally submitted to our community forums by a reader. Due to audience interest, we’ve preserved it. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own.

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Teachers Are Sharing The Absolute Worst Excuses They've Ever Heard And They're Really, Really Bad

"My dog ate my homework" just doesn't cut it anymore.

BuzzFeed Contributor

Have you ever come up with a wild excuse for not finishing your homework?

Turns out, you're not alone. When Reddit user u/Xplosion101 asked teachers, "What is the most ridiculous excuse for unfinished homework that you've ever heard?" the answers were laugh-out-loud funny.

1. Their grandma stole it.

"A kid (high school) claimed that he couldn’t do his homework because his grandmother wouldn’t give him back his textbook...which she had taken in retaliation for his theft of her wooden leg." — u/TrufflesDuVall

2. Their parrot flew into a fire.

"One kid told me his pet parrot flew onto the fireplace and caught on fire. It then proceeded to fly around the sitting room, and the dad tried to hit it with a frying pan because he was afraid the curtains would go up in flames if the parrot went close to them. The dad hit it into the kitchen and then grabbed it and threw it under a tap 'because you have to throw a parrot under a tap if it’s on fire.' He then said with all the drama, he’d forgotten to do his homework. Of course I let him off because it was the most creative story he’d come up with all year." — u/geoffraffe

3. A student left his homework in a room that he then forgot existed.

"The student claimed he put it in a room in his house. He then forgot the room existed. He was at a loss to explain where his homework was. He was upset to think he must have imagined doing it. He apologized to me.

"The next week, to his amazement, he 'found' the room, and more amazingly, he found his homework. He handed it in that week.

"Now, this may seem like nonsense, but it turns out he had an operation to remove a tumor from his brain when he was 10. One of the outcomes was a strange side effect that for a short period, he could utterly forget a room or more in his house.

"True story. Confirmed by his mother and sister." — u/ledgerdemaine

4. A sneaky kid "forgot" to submit his work.

"We use Canvas, and a helicopter mom swears she sees her son submit work, but I never get it. I also require students to create a Google folder and share it with me so I have access to all docs. This student never did this. I pointed it out to Mom and she had me reshow him how to do this in class.

"Once I could see his Google folder, I saw that only one of the four assignments he 'submitted' was done. I let Mom know and she grounded him. Ahhh, sweet revenge.

"I’ve been emailing back and forth with this mom for so long! She blamed Canvas for everything, and I knew he was lying. Just glad she finally realized as well." — u/daviscait

5. A wild duck flew in and ate their homework.

"My son couldn't hand his homework in because...a duck flew into our kitchen, panicked, and landed on the kitchen table. Despite her panic, the duck spotted some Rice Krispies and started to eat them out of the bowl, splashing milk and cereal all over the homework. Then...the duck grabbed the homework page (I assume 'cause it was covered in cereal) and flew off with it. Not sure the teacher ever believed us." — u/suddenthing

6. The file was just not available.

"Lately, it's always 'I couldn't access the file' OR, my personal favorite, 'the [student-facing interface] was acting up.' Like, mh-mmm, okay, but you have my email, I have a no-questions-asked extension policy for every assignment, and I assigned this to you five days ago." — u/insignificantnexus

7. It was in Mexico.

"I taught instrumental music down in South Texas, so I basically never gave any sort of homework outside of practicing. I gave the sixth-grade kiddos a super-basic theory sheet to complete that was due back in two days, since I had a dentist appointment the next day. As I’m collecting the sheets, a trombone kid tells me, 'My grandma stole my homework in Mexico and wouldn’t give it back.'

"Turns out they were visiting his grandparents over the border outside Matamoros, and his grandma really wanted something of his to hang on her refrigerator, so she took the homework he had just finished and put it up. Kid protested, but she wouldn’t relent, so he snapped a pic as proof. Graded the sheet from the picture. Kid got an A. I got a story." — u/BlooooContra

8. She broke her back.

"'I broke my back' — she said as she walked toward my desk. I believe she was going to give a different excuse or at least mention a different body part, but the panic overwhelmed her and she went with her back. Both sadly and hilariously, I couldn't help but give her an 'Are you dumb?' face." — u/ElZariguea

9. A coffee disaster ensued.

"This reminds me of one of my chem lab professors. She was passing back lab reports, and when she got to the girl whose lab station was next to mine, she asked her, 'Do you like coffee?' The student replied that, yes, she does, so the professor said, 'Good! Then I hope you don't mind that I spilled coffee all over your lab report,' and handed her a very brown and crinkly stack of papers." — u/theknightmanager

10. Their cat ate their homework.

"One of my classmates said that their dog ate their homework. She has a cat...and the homework was online." — u/Cap_ultimate

11. Their dog actually...ate their homework.

"I remember in kindergarten, my dog actually ate my homework. I don't think the teacher knew I was telling the truth." — u/DJEFFF900

12. Their dad sold it!

"'I did the homework the day you gave it to us [which was one week ago], except that I did it in an old rough copybook of mine, and yesterday when I got back from school, Dad had sold all of our old stationeries for petty cash. I was so mad at my dad, I didn't do my homework to teach him a lesson. Could you please call home and tell him about this?'" — the_angshu_man

13. The teacher's kid tore up the students' homework.

"My toddler once completely shredded about five kids' assignments I'd taken home to mark. Luckily, they were able to reprint them for me, but it was a little embarrassing." — u/HappiHappiHappi

14. They burned their workbook at Boy Scouts.

"I had a math workbook that was basically all of our assignments and homework throughout the whole year. We would do the assignments and turn in the workbooks to be graded, and get them back. I hated math.

"I went on a camping trip with the Boy Scouts after we finished all the work in that stupid workbook for the year, and I gleefully tossed my completed workbook into a fire, let it burn up for a few seconds, then fished its charred remains out before it was completely destroyed and stuck it in a ziplock bag as some kind of keepsake.

"Anyway, we got back to school on Monday for the last week before summer break, and the math teacher announced that we all needed to turn in our completed workbooks for a final grade on them. My classmates who were on the camping trip with me immediately looked at me, because they knew what happened to my workbook.

"Anyway, I ended up handing the teacher the clear plastic bag with the still-identifiable remains of my workbook. I probably explained that I hadn't known we would need to turn it in again. I don't remember what specifically happened with it, but I didn't get it trouble." — u/Th3Element05

15. A squirrel went and defecated on their homework.

"Well, my math books were defecated on by squirrels. The teacher didn't even take them home; they came in the pivot windows (I think during half term) and couldn't get out immediately, so they went to the toilet everywhere." — u/espardale

16. An actual broken arm prevented them from doing their homework.

"One of my classmates in fifth grade came to school with a cast and said his homework wasn’t done because he broke his arm and was at the hospital all night. He actually broke his dominant arm, and the teacher told him that that was no excuse for not completing his homework." — u/Www-MtnDew-com

17. A cat gave birth and ruined their homework.

"I heard the excuse, 'My cat gave birth on my homework' — and then they proceeded to share a picture of a whole litter of slimy kittens on a pile of sheets." — u/Joelymolee

Do you have any excuses for not doing your homework that actually worked? Let us know in the comments!

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Excuseindex.com

New excuses every week!

Hans Herbert

60 excuses for not doing homework (without blaming the dog).

• December 21, 2022
• ❂  School

Some people enjoy doing homework, while others despise it. Regardless of the type of person you are, homework can be boring, repetitive, or too difficult to understand. And sometimes there is just too much of it! In addition, if you have a full class schedule, homework can quickly become overwhelming.

There are several excuses for not doing homework, whether due to procrastination, lack of motivation, or external forces preventing you from doing it (like your dog eating it). We’ve all been there, so try not to be too hard on yourself. But rest assured, if you get into a situation where you cannot complete your homework, we’ve created this list of excuses that might help ease your anxiety while gaining some sympathy points from your teachers.

Excuses for not doing homework

We researched this topic and asked an English teacher of 35 years about some of her students’ most common and best excuses for not doing homework . She helped us put together the following list:

1. I was sick

Being sick, or claiming that you’re sick, can be used to get out of almost any scenario, including an instance where you did not complete your homework. Who wants to do homework when they are sick? Maybe some people will, but the majority will want to get their rest and recover to their usual selves.

2. My computer crashed

This excuse would not have worked only a couple of decades ago, but today, almost every student relies on their computer or laptop to do their work. So if you don’t have computer access, this is a plausible excuse for not doing your homework on time. 

3. My internet died

Like the excuse above, completing your assigned homework can be difficult if you don’t have internet access. Of course, not all homework relies on an internet connection, but if you need to research a particular topic, then it certainly might.

4. I broke my arm

If you broke your arm or any other bone, that is a believable excuse for not doing your homework. If this is your excuse and you didn’t break a bone, you’ll need to figure out a way to sell it. Is getting a fake cast worth going the extra distance just to get out of a bit of homework? We’ll let you be the judge of that!

5. There was a death in the family

Nobody will question your reasons if there has been a death in your family or of a loved one. This excuse will definitely buy you some time. If nobody actually passed away, you can still use this one with a low chance of getting caught, but it might make you feel guilty inside. This is a good excuse if you can live with yourself for making such a thing up.

6. My bag got stolen

Having your property stolen is another one of those believable excuses for not doing your homework. If you tell your teacher that your bag was stolen and it contained your work, they will give you a pass and some additional sympathy points along the way.

7. I was in a car accident

Being injured in a car accident is another excellent excuse for not doing homework. Not all car injuries are visible, either. So if you were in a fake car crash, you could claim internal injuries or whiplash.

8. I had to work

Unfortunately, many students today need to work a part-time job to pay for things like tuition, books, food, and other items of necessity. If you tell your teacher that you had to work to help out the family or pay for your school, they will give you a pass.

9. I got stuck babysitting my younger siblings

If you’re the older brother or sister, you’ll know that babysitting is part of your job. You will get stuck babysitting from time to time, which might prevent you from completing your homework. 

10. Practice ran later than usual

Being part of extracurricular activities like sports or part of the school band will mean that you’ll need to practice. Sometimes, practice can go longer than anticipated and cut into your normal time when you do homework. 

11. I had a personal issue I was dealing with

Using personal issues as an excuse for not doing homework is good because it’s very open-ended. Personal issues could mean a variety of things; most likely, your teacher won’t pry too much. Saying you’re having personal issues at home might also gain you sympathy points with your teachers.

12. My parents forced me to spend time with them

You might get annoyed with your parents when they want to spend time with you as you get older because you have more important things to do in your eyes. However, it’s tough to blame your parents for wanting to do something as a family. Unfortunately, this time hanging out with them may cut into your homework. This excuse is perfect if your parents are divorced.

13. I have too much homework in other subjects

If you have a lot of homework from different classes, you will need to prioritize what gets done first, especially if you have limited time. This means that sometimes homework will not get done in classes that you feel are less important. If you are going to use this excuse for not doing your homework, you shouldn’t tell your teacher that their class is not essential to you but that you had too much work in other classes that were worth more of your grade.

14. I was in the hospital

If you tell your teacher that you were at the hospital and couldn’t complete the homework, the first thing they should ask is if you are okay. If they do this, you’ll know they are sympathetic toward you. Using the hospital as an excuse to get out of homework is very general; you could have been in the hospital for countless reasons, so pick wisely if you are going to use this one.

15. My pet got sick

Using a sick pet as an excuse for getting out of doing your homework is another believable option. If your teacher is also a pet owner, then they will surely understand your situation. 

16. I thought it was due tomorrow

Claiming ignorance may or may not work, depending on your teacher. You might get a pass if you tell them straight-faced that you thought it was due tomorrow. Make sure to hand in your homework the next day if you are going to use this excuse.

17. Bullies took it away from me and ripped it up

Using bullies as an excuse for not doing your homework is another good way to earn sympathy points from your teacher. The only problem with this excuse is that your teacher will want to know who is bullying you. If you’re making this up, you won’t want to pin the blame on somebody. Also, if you’re telling the truth, exposing your bully may get you into deeper trouble with them. 

18. My baby brother/sister spilled milk all over it

Gahh! Your baby brother or sister spilled milk all over your freshly printed assignment. This excuse is similar to your dog eating it. It might work if your teacher is gullible. 

19. I missed the lesson where it was assigned

This excuse involves playing the ignorance card again. For example, if you were absent earlier in the week when the assignment was given out, you could use this reason for not handing it in. However, your teacher may flip things back on you and tell you that you are responsible for asking someone what you missed. 

20. I was doing volunteer work

Using volunteer work as a reason for not doing homework will, at the very least, portray you as a good person. Whether or not your teacher goes easy on you is another story. 

21. I did it, but I must have forgotten it at home

Claiming that you did your homework but somehow forgot it at home could work, depending on your acting skills. This is another excuse where if you use it, you better hand it in the next day. 

22. It was too easy, so I thought it was a waste of time

You’re a brave individual if you use this excuse with your teachers. If you have demonstrated your intellect with your teachers, and they know that you’re smarter than the other kids, you might get away with this. However, it might make you look like a jerk. 

23. My parents rushed me out the door, and I didn’t get a chance to grab it on the way out

Blaming your parents because you didn’t hand in your homework is a good way to divert the blame to somebody else. Maybe you have a big family, and mornings are always chaotic. If this is your situation, this excuse might be good. 

24. I mixed it up with someone else

If you try to claim that you mixed up your homework with someone else’s, you will need to provide more details to your teacher because this can be confusing. So be prepared to have a backstory ready for why you handed in your brother/sister/friend’s homework instead. 

25. I ate something and had an allergic reaction

Using food poisoning or an allergic reaction to something you ate will buy you a day or two for your homework if your teacher is sympathetic.

26. The homework file on my computer got corrupted

You finally finished your homework and went to save it, but something weird happened, and the file got corrupted. Now, all your assignment reads is a bunch of gibberish, and there is no way to undo it.

27. I was studying for something more important

If you’re getting good grades in a particular class, you can use this excuse and say that you had to study for another class because your grades are not as good. Claiming that it’s more important to get your grades up in another class for your overall GPA will work in this scenario. 

28. I was out of town

If you had to go out of town on short notice, it might leave you with no time to finish your homework. Using this excuse will work if the reason you went out of town appears valid. You could also claim that you were out of town on a family vacation. 

29. I was too tired and fell asleep earlier than usual

Lack of sleep can cause a lot of health problems. If you have insomnia, you know how painful it can be to sleep rarely. If by chance, one night, you were just so tired that you fell asleep earlier, then so be it. You’re not used to sleeping much, so you have to take advantage of the times when you can, even at the expense of not doing your homework.

30. My dog ate it

We’re joking with this one, but we had to add it to the list anyways.  According to the teacher we consulted for this list, this excuse still gets used. Saying your dog ate your homework is another way of saying, “I didn’t do it, and we both know it.”

Funny excuses for not doing homework

If you’re feeling creative and brave, you can use one of these funny excuses for not doing your homework with your teacher. Keep in mind these excuses will probably not work. However, using one of these funny excuses may get a reaction or a laugh out of your teacher. If you can break them down a bit with your comedic approach for why you didn’t do your homework, then that’s one step in the right direction for them to go easy on you.  

• I was attacked by a swarm of bees
• I was stuck in a parallel universe where homework doesn’t exist
• I was cursed by a witch and had to break the spell
• I was trapped inside a magical painting and couldn’t escape
• I was possessed by a demon and lost control of my actions
• I was in a hotdog eating contest and was so full that I couldn’t move after
• TV is just too good right now
• My homework was so well done that I didn’t want to make the other students look bad
• I fell into a giant puddle, and my homework was ruined
• I was abducted by aliens and just returned to Earth

Excuses for not doing homework to use with your parents

If you’ve been able to provide some good excuses for not doing homework to your teachers and they believed them, that’s great, but you’ll also need to work on your parents. Your reasons for not doing homework may work on your teachers, but you’ll have to adapt for your parents because they have more information about your personal life. For example, claiming a family emergency will not work with your parents as it would with your teachers. 

So if you’re at home playing videogames or watching TV instead of doing your homework, try using these excuses with your parents to get them off your back:

1. My teacher extended the deadline

The class was complaining about too much homework, so your teacher did everyone a solid and extended the deadline.

2. I finished everything while I was in school

The teacher gives lots of opportunities to work in class, so I used this time to finish all my homework to chill when I got home.

3. I’m waiting for my classmate to complete their section of the assignment first

I can’t do my homework until my classmates finish their section of our group project. They are the ones slowing me down!

4. Homework is pointless in my class and not worth any marks

My teacher told us that tests and exams make up 100% of our final grade, so there’s no point in doing the homework if it isn’t worth anything. 

5. I already know everything there is to know

I have already studied for the class and know everything there is to know. So doing the homework won’t teach me anything.

6. My teacher went easy on us and didn’t give us any work for a week

The teacher felt bad about giving us so much homework in previous weeks, so they decided not to give the class any more homework for the next week.

7. A substitute teacher is filling in

Our regular teacher is away, and a substitute teacher is filling in. The new substitute teacher does not care what we do since they are only there temporarily. 

8. You’re going to do your homework later on a video chat with your classmates 

You’re taking it easy right now because later at night, you will get on a video chat with classmates and do the work together.

9. My teacher said the homework was optional

My teacher gave us the option to do the homework and said it wouldn’t be graded either way. Normally I would do it regardless, but I didn’t feel like it this time.

10. I’m already getting straight A’s and need a break

I just need a break! I’ve been working so hard lately, and my grades reflect that. If I skip homework for one night, it will not affect my grades.

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Excuses for not doing homework to use with your classmates.

Sometimes you’ll need excuses for not doing homework to use with your classmates, primarily if they are relying on you for group work. For example, if you are working on a project or assignment together and haven’t completed your portion of the work, they might get pissed off. For this reason, it’s good to have excuses you can use with your classmates.

It could be a migraine, a cold, flu, covid-19, or other viruses. You were so sick you couldn’t complete the homework. 

2. My pet was sick

You were worried about your family pet, so you took them to the vet to ensure they were okay. You were there all night worrying about them.

3. There was a power outage at home

The whole block lost power, and as a result, you couldn’t do your share of the homework. The power outage lasted all night, so there was nothing you could do!

4. I thought it was due later

Whoops! You swear you thought it was due later. 

5. My ex was harassing me

You were trying to do the work, but your ex kept harassing you by calling and texting you or even showing up at your front door. Needless to say, you couldn’t get much done because of them.

6. I had no place to work

Typically, you work in your room, but you couldn’t this time because there were renovations taking place in your house. So you had to move all your stuff out of your room, which took forever!

7. My parents forced me to do something 

How annoying! Your parents insisted you do something together as a family. You tried to tell them you had vital homework to do, but they insisted, stating that you don’t spend enough time together.  This excuse works great if your parents are divorced. 

8. I was in an accident

Maybe it was a car accident, or you fell down the stairs. Regardless of the accident, you were too injured to do anything and needed to recover.

9. I was fighting with my partner

Being in a relationship is tough . So tough that sometimes you fight all night with your partner about meaningless topics. Once you two get going, the next thing you know is that it’s past midnight, and you got nothing done. 

10. I’ve been carrying the group all year, and now it’s your turn

It’s time for everybody else to pick up the slack! You’ve been the key to your group’s success in class so far, and you’re tired of carrying everyone else. Sheesh!

What if your teacher or parents are strict and don’t believe your excuses?

Sometimes your excuses for not doing homework will not cut it, no matter how much you try to convince your teacher or parents. They may be so strict that they will not accept any possible reason you may throw at them.

In these scenarios, it’s better to just come clean and explain why your homework isn’t complete without passing the blame. 

This is because if your teacher or parents don’t believe you or care regardless of what you say, you can have a clean conscience by telling the truth. Furthermore, if your parents or teachers know you’re telling the truth, they might have more respect for you and your situation, knowing that you could have blamed it on the dog or an alien abduction. 

How to finish homework faster

If you’re tired of using excuses for not doing your homework and want to become a better student, then it’s a good idea to learn some tips on how to finish your homework faster. If you can finish your homework faster, you’ll have extra time to do the things you want with your friends and family.  This will reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with the feeling of not getting your homework done. Not only will these tips help with getting your homework done faster, but they will also teach you how to get caught up on schoolwork if you’re falling behind.

Here are some tips on how to finish your homework faster:

1. Set up your workstation

The first step is to make sure you are doing your homework in a productive environment. If you do your homework in your room or an office, make sure that your space is neat and tidy. A clear space can equal a clear mind, which can put you in the right mindset before you start working.

2. Make a list of things that need to get done

Make a list of all the things you need to get done. Don’t worry if the list is larger than anticipated. Seeing everything in a list will become satisfying when you start crossing things off it.  Before you know it, your list will shrink in size and eventually disappear.

3. Estimate the time it will take for you to complete each item on your list

It’s a good idea to put a time estimate for all the things on your list. This way, you can start prioritizing items based on time. You can also plan your breaks better this way.

4. Unplug from screens and distractions

If one of your main problems is procrastination, then it is especially important to limit distractions. It’s easy to get wrapped up on Instagram or Tiktok for hours at a time.  Unplug from your phone and any other screen that isn’t necessary for your homework.

5. Start with any outstanding items

If you’re wondering how to get caught up on school work that is outstanding, then you should with all your outstanding items first! Pick the easiest outstanding item to get the ball rolling, then work to finish them all before moving on to tasks with future due dates.

6. Break down larger tasks into smaller ones

If you have a lot of bigger tasks, then you should break them down into smaller ones. For example, if you have to write an essay on a particular topic, break the essay down into smaller chunks like the intro paragraph, the supporting paragraphs, and the conclusion. Make each of those paragraphs a smaller task. It will seem more manageable this way.

7. Start with something small and easy

If you’re really struggling to even get started, then the best thing you can do is just pick the smallest and easiest task on your list of items and do that first. Once you cross it off the list, you might become more motivated to move on to the next item. Keep going from there and build momentum.

8. Take breaks and stretch

Taking breaks is really important for mental and physical well-being. Within every hour, do 50 minutes of concentrated and focused work with a 10-minute break at the end. Stretching is another great thing you can do while on your break to get your blood flowing. Set a timer for 50 minutes, then again for 10 minutes when the 50 minutes elapse. 

9. Stay focused

If you do 1-hour blocks of 50 minutes of work, with 10 minutes of break, then its important that the 50 minutes of work is high quality. Do your best to stay focused on the task at hand. Then, you can release that focus on your 10-minute break. 

10. Relax and reward yourself at the end of your working session

Did you complete your list? A large portion of it? Or did you only complete a few small tasks? If you’ve struggled with homework, then any amount you’ve completed should be a celebration. Even if you only completed 1 task on your list, that’s one task that wasn’t completed yesterday. Make sure to give yourself credit, and reward yourself with whatever makes you happy.  Of course, the more you complete, the bigger the reward!

How to finish homework last minute

There isn’t a method on how to finish homework last minute that will always work. Realistically, you shouldn’t be leaving things until the last minute. However, there is one technique you can try.

If you have an assignment that due the next day, but you haven’t done anything for it, do the absolute bare minimum and hand it in. Pull your teacher aside and say that life got in the way, but you still wanted to submit something. Explain that you aren’t happy with your work, and would kindly request that you can resubmit it again in another few days to show what you’re truly capable of.  

Your teacher might see this as a positive effort and will reward you with a later deadline. Of course, this means that you will need to put more effort into the assignment. If you don’t do it, or hand in something lackluster, then this strategy on how to finish homework last minute will not work again.

If you’re having trouble finishing your assigned work in school, then we hope this list of excuses for not doing homework will help you.  Of course, we always recommend taking an honest approach. However, if you’re feeling embarrassed or ashamed about not finishing your homework again, then try one of these excuses if it makes you feel better.

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how to get out of homework 1 say you sick and your tired and just ignorn the teacher and here you go

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15 hilarious homework excuses, homework excuses you may have heard before.

Students will tell you just about anything to get out of trouble for not having their homework. This situation can be fodder to some great teacher stories as students can come up with the most hilarious homework excuses. Have you ever had students come up with homework excuses like these?

1. It just slipped out of my hands and blew away. That’s why I am late. I ran after it. Oops, the wind was so strong that I just couldn’t help it. *Sad face*

2. I was not able to hold the pencil because my finger hurt. You realize how difficult it is to hold a pencil when your finger hurts “really,” “really” bad?

3. I let somebody take it and did not get it back. That little bugger told me he was in urgent need of my homework copy, and I fell in the trap. *Grim face*

4. My dad wasn’t well, and my mom wasn’t home. Oh so common reason. But it works every time, doesn’t it?

5. You told us to do all the questions. Were we supposed to bring them too? I did them as you said but I did them on my rough copy at home. I did not know that I was supposed to bring it too. I will bring that tomorrow, ma’am! I have already done it. *Sincere mode on*

6. I left it in my shirt, and my mother washed it. And I had a fight with my mother. I didn’t do anything wrong. Trust me, I did the homework. *Poor face*

7. My dad accidentally put it in his office bag and took it to work. My dad is always in a hurry like that.

8. My younger sibling ripped it apart. That stupid brother does not understand the difference between food and papers. He chewed my homework. *Angry face*

9. We had an electricity cut off in our house, and I had to ignite it to get enough light to see the fuse box. It was such a sad day for me. I put so much hard work doing it. *Helpless face*

10. I got soap in my eyes, and it blinded me for the rest of the night. I have a good habit of bathing every day after school, and it cost me my homework. Seems like good habits ain’t that good.

11. I got a solar powered calculator, and the weather was cloudy. Advanced math without a calculator? No way.

12. I left my homework on your desk before you came but it’s just not here. I had handwritten it, took me ages!” Somebody must have stolen it. *Clueless face*

13. I left my homework on the table and my angry dog got hold of it. Rest is history. Angry dogs are dangerous, I tell you. I couldn’t try to pacify him.

14. My father went through a nervous breakdown, and he used the pages of my assignment to make paper boats. I wonder how he behaved. Like a kid, you know! I was, in fact, not coming today but mom forced me to stay out of dad's way or else he would tear all my books!

15. I tried so hard to understand the chapter but I couldn’t. Can you please explain it to me again, ma’am? I will give it another try. I am such a sincere boy; I just can’t leave my homework undone. I will definitely do it once I understand it.

Have some more interesting excuses you have heard of?

Or perhaps you invented them!

Share with us in the comments below and let the laughter begin!

About the Author: Aditya Singhal is the co-founder of Transtutors.com a leading online tutoring assistance program for college students. Having graduated from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), he worked briefly with the American consulting firm, Kurt Salmon Associates before taking the entrepreneurial route. Outside of the work arena, Aditya has a personal interest in helping MBA students. He is also actively involved in giving back to the society by contributing a part of the revenue towards education of poor students.

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Funny Homework Excuses to Replace your Boring Excuses for not Doing Homework

• Trent Lorcher
• Categories : Study & learning tips for parents & students
• Tags : Homework help & study guides

Take the following into account before using any excuse for not showing up with homework:

• Know your audience. Make sure your teacher has a sense of humor. Not all teachers understand humor; not all teachers will find your funny homework excuses funny. Some teachers need boring excuses for not doing homework… because they’re boring.
• Know your audience. Make sure the excuse demonstrates elements of knowledge about the assignment you’re trying to get excused. The most obvious class for these excuses is English. Most English teachers will be satisfied that you spelled things correctly and showed some creativity. Math and Science teachers will be impressed by any technical terms you bring in. History teachers will be amazed at your use of historical allusions. For art class, draw a picture.
• Presenting funny homework excuses takes practice. You don’t just read the excuse, you dramatize it. Use hand motions, voice inflections, and all those things your teachers tell you to do while speaking in public. If you’re not capable of a compelling delivery, write the excuse out and put a smiley face on it.
• Write/Practice your excuse now. Using these excuses for not doing homework takes time. If you don’t have time to do homework then you don’t have time to write and practice an excuse. Have the excuse ready, and when your teacher doesn’t believe it, pull out the old “I obviously did it. Heck, I could have done the assignment in a lot less time than making up this excuse, sir.”

A Creative Example

This excuse is especially useful in less populated sections of the country, but variations of it will work anywhere. It’s called the Hiker’s Dilemma and goes as follows:

You won’t believe what happened (your teacher will undoubtedly agree with your opening statement). I was at the library writing my essay on The Declaration of Independence and I got so involved in it that I lost track of time and missed the bus. I stopped off for a bite to eat at Montezuma’s cafe and called my Mom for a ride home. She was unable to come, on account of her lupus (the goal is to create sympathy; any disease will do), so I decided to make the long trek home…through the woods. After about an hour of walking and reciting our nation’s founding document, Montezuma got his revenge on my stomach. I had no choice but to run behind a bush and squat. I averted one disaster, but my troubles weren’t over. I had no toilet paper. I searched through my backpack and all I could find was my essay that I had just written. I struggled for over eight minutes, not knowing what to do. I finally decided to sacrifice the essay. I have it in my locker if you want me to get it. It’s pretty disgusting though………

Now that you’ve seen a sample, I’ll give you some ideas and you come up with the rest. Keep in mind that not all excuses work on all teachers.

• I was up late taking care of my sick gerbil that my dearest dead grandma gave me as a Festivus gift the day she died. The only thing that could relieve Trentie’s pain was a soft bed of notebook paper and the only piece of notebook paper I had was today’s homework assignment. Gram gram appreciates your understanding.
• I was in the lunch room and another student started criticizing you and I just couldn’t let that go without letting him know he was wrong. I searched through my backpack to find something to throw at him, and all I could find was today’s homework assignment, so I let him have it.
• I know this sounds ridiculous, but a dog really did eat my homework. It wasn’t my dog. It belonged to the neighbor, a pit bull, and he was chasing my 2-year old sister, your little girl is two, isn’t she? Anyhow, just before the pit bull clamped its jaws on this poor defenseless baby, who happens to be the same age as your daughter, I pulled out my binder and shoved it down its throat. The stunned pit bull had no idea what had happened as I carried the poor little girl, who’s the same age as your daughter, to safety. The dog made quick work of my binder, which included the homework assignment that was due today, but the little girl’s parents, who have a daughter the same age as yours, said you would understand.

This post is part of the series: Homework Excuses

Find the best, the worst, the most popular, and the funniest homework excuses with just a few clicks of the mouse.

• The 10 Best Homework Excuses
• The 10 Most Common “I Forgot my Homework” Excuses
• Funny Homework Excuses

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