excuse me

excuse me

An expression used as an apology for any slight or apparent impropriety, esp as a request to pass, leave, interrupt or catch someone's attention or for contradicting a statement that has been made, or (US) when correcting oneself

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Main Entry: ↑excuse

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said politely in various contexts, for example when attempting to get someone's attention, asking someone to move so that one may pass, or interrupting or disagreeing with a speaker

■ said when asking someone to repeat what they have just said

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excuse me

◇ Excuse me is used as a polite way of starting to say something. It can be used when you are interrupting someone, trying to get someone's attention, or disagreeing with someone.

Excuse me, but may I say something?

Excuse me, but do you mind if I shut the window?

Excuse me, do you know where I can find Maple Street?

Excuse me, but I don't think those figures are entirely accurate.

It is also used as a polite apology for a minor fault or offense, such as laughing, coughing, or burping, and, in U.S. English, for getting in someone's way or bumping into someone.

Oh, excuse me. [=pardon me, I beg your pardon] I didn't notice you standing there.

The phrase is also used, especially in U.S. English, as a polite way of asking someone to repeat something.

Excuse me? [=pardon me?; I beg your pardon?] I didn't hear the last part of what you were saying.

In informal use, excuse me is often used in an annoyed way when someone has suggested that you have done something wrong and you do not feel that you have.

“You were supposed to be home an hour ago.” “Well, excuse me! I had to fix a flat tire.”

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Main Entry: ↑excuse

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exˈcuse me idiom

1. used to politely get sb's attention, especially sb you do not know

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Excuse me, is this the way to the station?

2. used to politely ask sb to move so that you can get past them

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Excuse me, could you let me through?

3. used to say that you are sorry for interrupting sb or behaving in a slightly rude way

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Guy sneezed loudly. ‘Excuse me,’ he said.

4. used to disagree politely with sb

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Excuse me, but I don't think that's true.

5. used to politely tell sb that you are going to leave or talk to sb else

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‘Excuse me for a moment,’ she said and left the room.

6. (especially NAmE) used to say sorry for pushing sb or doing sth wrong

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Oh, excuse me. I didn't see you there.

7. excuse me? (NAmE) used when you did not hear what sb said and you want them to repeat it

Main entry: ↑excuse_idiom