excuse me

IPA/ɛkskjˈuːs mˌiː/
IPA/ɛkskjˈuːs mˌiː/

excuse me — idiom

1. a phrase you say to a stranger before asking them something or letting them know

1.慣用語A1
釋義

a phrase you say to a stranger before asking them something or letting them know about a problem

例句

Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the main library building?

excuse me + could you for polite questions to strangers in public

Excuse me, I believe your backpack has come unzipped.

同義詞
  • pardon me

    slightly more formal; more common in American English than British

  • hey

    very informal and can sound rude if used with strangers

用法筆記

The speaker nearly always follows 'excuse me' with a question or a piece of helpful information the stranger would want to know.

2. a phrase you say to ask someone politely to make room and let you pass in a crow

2.慣用語A1
釋義

a phrase you say to ask someone politely to make room and let you pass in a crowded place

例句

Excuse me, may I just get past you to the window seat?

excuse me + may I for asking to pass in tight spaces

Excuse me — sorry, I need to reach the exit before the next stop.

同義詞
  • coming through

    more direct and informal; used when carrying something or in a hurry

用法筆記

Often paired with a small hand gesture or by turning your body sideways to show that you are trying to pass.

常見錯誤

❌Move!' (when trying to pass someone).
✅Excuse me.
💡'Move' without 'excuse me' sounds like a command and is considered rude.

3. a polite phrase used to let people know you are about to leave, especially in th

3.慣用語A2
釋義

a polite phrase used to let people know you are about to leave, especially in the middle of a social event

例句

Excuse me, I really must be going — early start tomorrow.

excuse me + I must be going for announcing your departure

Alessia checked her watch. "Excuse me, everyone — I must catch the last train."

同義詞

用法筆記

Often followed by a short reason for leaving. The reason does not need to be the full truth — it is a social routine that softens the departure.

4. a short apology for a small accident, such as bumping into someone, sneezing, or

4.慣用語A1
釋義

a short apology for a small accident, such as bumping into someone, sneezing, or knocking something over

例句

Baraka knocked the table, spilling water. "Oh, excuse me — let me get a cloth."

excuse me for minor accidents like bumping into things or spilling

Excuse me, I didn't mean to step on your foot.

同義詞
  • sorry

    more general apology; can be used for both minor and serious matters

  • pardon me

    more formal; common in American English for minor bodily accidents like burping

用法筆記

For more serious mistakes or when someone is upset, use 'I'm sorry' or 'I apologize' instead. 'Excuse me' is only for minor, everyday accidents.

常見錯誤

❌I stepped on your foot — sorry about that.' (spoken with a flat tone).
✅Oh, excuse me! I'm so sorry.
💡For accidents involving another person's body, 'excuse me' should sound quick and genuinely sorry, not casual.

5. a phrase you say before correcting someone or offering a different opinion, to s

5.慣用語B1
釋義

a phrase you say before correcting someone or offering a different opinion, to show that you are not being unfriendly

例句

Excuse me, but I think that figure is from 2023, not 2022.

excuse me + but for politely correcting someone

Rosa looked up from the report. "Excuse me, I see it a little differently — may I offer another view?"

同義詞
  • with respect

    more formal; often used in debates and professional settings

  • I'm sorry, but

    slightly more apologetic; softens the disagreement even further

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'but'. Without it, the disagreement can sound too sudden and the softening effect is lost.

常見錯誤

❌You're wrong — the meeting is on Tuesday.
✅Excuse me, but I think the meeting is on Tuesday.
💡Stating a correction directly without 'excuse me' can sound aggressive, especially in a group.

6. a phrase you use when you did not hear or could not understand what someone said

6.慣用語A2
釋義

a phrase you use when you did not hear or could not understand what someone said and you need them to say it again

例句

Excuse me? I didn't quite catch that — the line is very bad.

excuse me? with rising intonation to ask someone to repeat themselves

Antonia leaned closer in the noisy room. "Excuse me — what did you say?"

同義詞
  • pardon

    very common in British English; can sound formal to American ears

  • sorry?

    common in British English as a request to repeat; softer than 'what?'

  • come again?

    informal and friendly; more common in American English

用法筆記

Often spoken with a rising intonation, like a question. In American English, 'pardon me?' or simply 'sorry?' are common alternatives for this sense.

常見錯誤

❌What?' (when you didn't hear someone).
✅Excuse me?
💡Saying just 'What?' with a flat tone can sound impatient. 'Excuse me?' with a rising tone is polite.