Have you ever stumbled to class, filled with dread and wondering how you're going to explain why you don't have any work to turn in? Surely almost all have handed in a homework assignment late, at least a few times (or more!). When that happens, so as not to get into trouble, students cook up excuses why they couldn’t complete their assignments when scheduled or at all.
If these assertions leave you feeling like we're speaking directly to you... We are! Your parents, professors, teachers, and, yes, even your Superprof tutor were once learners, too. We know how school life is and how, sometimes, learners have no desire to do homework. Or, in some cases, how any inkling of that homework should be done. Learn the most creative excuses for not doing homework!
"Great acts are made up of small deeds."
Lao Tzu - Chinese philosopher
My Dog Ate My Homework
We head our list up with the classic!- who hasn't heard about that homework-hating dog that must eat every assignment? Or maybe it's a dog who craves the taste of graphite and ink...
Let's trace the origins and evolution of the excuse: The legend, written by Forrest Wickman, dates back to the 6th Century and tells the story of Saint Ciarán's tame fox, tasked with carrying Ciarán's writings to the monastery Master. These papers were bound with a leather strap, but one day the fox chewed through it, allowing the papers to fly away with the wind.
While the earliest version involves a fox, the dog version comes later. Over the centuries, dogs have been accused of eating everything, including precious items. In one story published in 1808, a dog allegedly swallowed a playing card, an incident that would have cost its owner a high-stakes game.
Bringing the narrative full circle, another religious man, an Anglican priest known for his sermons, reportedly had to cut his sermon after one dog entered his study and ate several pages of it. The congregation was reportedly delighted at spending less time in the pews.
The bottom line: despite its lengthy history, perhaps this is not the most convincing of excuses. Still, if you actually have a dog and all else fails, you could bring a few chewed pages as pretty compelling proof.
The phrase "The dog ate my homework" denotes an unconvincing or far-fetched excuse:
– For failing to hand in school assignment,
and, by extension:
– For any failure to do or produce what was expected. 1
I Don’t Remember Getting any Homework!
The trouble with you supposedly having a Swiss-cheese memory for homework is today's technology.
If you say you simply forgot, your teacher will undoubtedly ask if you checked with your classmates. Even worse for you: what if your homework was assigned online through your school's online portal - and you logged in? Clearly, this indicates you knew there was work to do.
If your teacher doesn't use any web-based school platforms... You probably DO remember getting your assignment, but at least your teacher can't prove it, right? This particular excuse would only work if the whole class, or at least a majority of your classmates, claimed the same thing. In this case, you and your friends might want to get your story straight!
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I Thought My Homework Was in My Bag
This excuse works for almost everything: from the money you owe a friend to the book you promised to return, and, of course, unfinished assignments.
It is particularly effective if you first dig into your backpack calmly as you usually would. Nothing to see here, Teacher! Just another diligent student, pulling out last night's work. And then, more frantically, your fingers scrabble and scour every pocket, even as you become increasingly panicked around the room.
If you could work up an embarrassed flush, that would be la cerise sur le gâteau. "Of course you thought you packed it!" your teacher might think. This one is a great excuse; it’s worked for learners everywhere, especially those who can work up a sweat or a few tears on demand.
I Didn’t Understand the Homework
This excuse works better for science, maths, or question-based homework rather than essays. That doesn't mean it won't fly if the assignment called for you to write at length; you might explain how you didn't quite get the idea of what you were supposed to write about.
This excuse hits two birds with one stone when you combine it with "could you explain it to me?, please." because you'll get help with your homework and possibly a deadline extension, especially if you actually don’t understand the homework assignment.
The teacher might ask whether you talked with any classmates to see if they could explain what you were supposed to do. You might say that you asked your parents or an older sibling for help, but avoid mentioning any classmate your teacher might know, just in case she/he tries to verify.
Too Much Homework from Another Class
Primary and secondary school teachers usually have an idea of how much homework their colleagues assign, and if they didn't, it would be a snap for them to check. They may start by asking your classmates; their responses might prove embarrassing for you. Even if you lay out everything you did for that supposed other class, this story puts you and your teacher in a difficult position.
On one hand, they might think: "Poor you, clearly you’ve been given far too much homework!" but, on the other hand, other teachers' assignments aren't their concern, and, being a college/university student, you should manage your schedule and workload more efficiently.
This excuse might work if your professor is too inexperienced to know better or a bit negligent. Best to not underestimate them, though. Keep this one in reserve for when you genuinely have nothing else to offer.
This excuse would work best for college and university students.
I was Absent When the Homework was Assigned
Even if your attendance was marked in the register, this excuse could still work if you could convince your teacher you were in the loo when the assignment was announced.
This type of excuse would work particularly well if you are, indeed, a frequent visitor to the loo during class.
If you do not usually leave the room, you could try claiming that your teacher marked you present by mistake that day.
Here again, your classmates would have to back up your story. Failing that, you might rope your parents into providing a note explaining that, of course, you were absent on that day because you had to do something far more important than attending class.
Busy with Extra-curricular Activities and Volunteering
If you want to polish your civic, duty-bound image, claiming you couldn't do any homework because you were helping others would be a sure bet. Volunteering in your community, assisting elders, helping out in your local clinic, or charity will be nothing but a star in your teacher's eyes.
However, not every extracurricular excuse carries the same weight. It will be less believable if you claim team sports or group activities as your extracurricular activity, and might raise eyebrows rather than sympathy.
Choose your "too busy for homework" reason wisely. If volunteering is your excuse, it would be best to volunteer, because if you get found out, the damage to your credibility will be far worse than admitting to not doing your homework.
My Computer Crashed!
With more schools relying on web-based platforms to assign and submit assignments, a whole new spectrum of excuses has opened up to the creative, homework-lacking learner.
Beyond the classic computer crash, you might blame pets and/or younger siblings breaking your laptop, pro hackers, power outages, or even claim your printer ran out of ink. Of course, that last excuse will be the least effective, especially if you are a serial homework offender.
Your teacher may point out that you could have saved your work to a USB drive and printed it at a shop.
Beware too that, if no other student experienced a power outage, invoking that excuse may force you into the scary territory of admitting that your parents didn't pay the electricity bill - the only other reason you alone had no power.
Technical issues indeed represent a significant barrier to effective online learning. Many scholars face challenges related to unreliable internet connectivity. Institutions and educators must ensure that students have access to the necessary technological resources. 2
I Was So Sick!
Not so long ago, in the pre-COVID days, the consequences of being in the middle of a pandemic were classic homework excuses. One could claim a 24-hour bug, mysterious flu-like symptoms, or arrive in class looking convincingly wan and explain that they had a fever the night before.
Not only would you be excused from turning in your assignments, but you might have garnered a bit of sympathy... to say nothing of a handy extension on your deadline for turning work in.
These days, if you claim you've been bedridden, feverish, and unable to distinguish your cat from your sheet of homework, you're likely to land yourself in quarantine, missing out on classes and leisure activities alike.
However, if claiming illness has become your go-to excuse to avoid turning in assignments on time, you should stick with food poisoning... and even that is no guarantee you won't be sent home immediately.
Tell the Truth
If you typically dole out excuses for why your homework is never done on time, perhaps it’s time to pull out your ace in the hole: Telling the truth!
Honesty is still the best policy, after all, and your teacher will appreciate your telling the truth. It should be a refreshing change from the usual mental bombardment of (only somewhat believable) excuses. Use truth-telling when you’re feeling especially sincere (and desperate). Or, the best yet: Tell the truth all the time, no matter what.
Of course, you wouldn't have to worry about recycling excuses if you knocked your homework out like the champ you are. Stop procrastinating and get to work!
Did you know that scholars who procrastinate are more likely to experience depression and social anxiety than learners who don’t procrastinate? 3
Bonus Excuses!
In case the all-time favs listed above do not suit you or you've used them all at least once this school year, here are a few extra excuses to try that might save you from the wrath of Teacher:
Which is your favorite bonus excuse?
Admittedly, for all that they are plausible, some of these excuses are pretty funny. Your teacher may give you props for your inventiveness and, if the assignment wasn't critical, might give you a pass... this time. If chronic homework neglect is your study style, be careful not to use the same excuse too many times. Otherwise, your teacher may not be sympathetic if there is a legitimate reason for not doing your homework.
We hope these excuses have been helpful - or, at least, entertaining. Just remember that the more you use them, the more unbelievable they’ll become to your teacher! In fact, it may just be more advantageous (and easier) for you to do your homework and hand it in on time.
Avoid Excuses for Not Doing Homework
A Superprof homework help tutor would make all of these excuses unnecessary. With the guidance of a dedicated tutor, you would have no trouble understanding your study materials or what is expected of you. You would no longer need any excuses because your work would get done on time, every time.
However, if you do not have a Superprof tutor (yet), maybe excuses will remain the order of the day. If that's the case, we hope you had learnt some pretty good excuses for not completing your assignments. Here again, your Superprof rides to the rescue by providing you with the ideal homework help you need in just a few clicks.
References
- Tréguer, P. (2022, June 20). Early history of the phrase ‘the dog ate my homework.’ Word Histories. https://wordhistories.net/2019/10/02/dog-ate-homework/
- National University & NU Editorial Contributors. (2025, October 23). Challenges of distance education. National University. https://www.nu.edu/blog/challenges-of-distance-learning-for-students/
- Bytamar, J. M., Saed, O., & Khakpoor, S. (2020). Emotion regulation difficulties and academic procrastination. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 524588. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.524588
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