Leaves and makes excuses initially unconvincing (4)
I believe the answer is:
lame
'unconvincing' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lame that I've seen before include "Weak kind of excuse for halting walk" , "Imperfect - material" , "Crippled" , "Feeble; cripple" , "Having impaired walking ability" .)