Please

[0098] Excuse me

🎲 Sorry
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

A phrase used in several situations:

  • To politely get someone's attention.
  • To apologize for a minor social infraction (like bumping into someone).
  • To ask someone to move so you can pass.
  • Before interrupting a conversation.
  • To signal disagreement politely (less common, tone is key).
  • After a small bodily noise like a burp or hiccup (less common now, 'pardon me' sometimes used).

Origin

  • Literally asks the other person to excuse or overlook a minor fault, interruption, or need for attention.
  • Stems from politeness conventions requiring acknowledgment when infringing on someone's space, time, or attention.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

Getting attention:

  • Pardon me?
  • Sorry to bother you...
  • Sir? / Ma'am? / Miss? (Can be seen as slightly dated or formal)

Apology/Passing through:

  • Pardon me.
  • Sorry. / So sorry.
  • Mind if I get past?

Interrupting:

  • Sorry to interrupt...
  • Pardon the interruption...
  • Can I just jump in...?

Disagreement:

  • I beg your pardon? (More formal/stronger disagreement/surprise)
  • Actually...
  • With all due respect... (Formal disagreement)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal (Getting attention):

  • Yo! (Very informal, can be rude)
  • Hey! (Casual)

Slang/Informal (Passing through):

  • Scuse me. (Very common shortening)
  • Gangway! (Old-fashioned, jocular)
  • Comin' through!

Vulgar/Emphatic (Expressing outrage/disbelief, not a polite use):

  • Are you fucking kidding me?! (Not a synonym, but replaces the surprised/disagreeing 'Excuse me?!')

Milder/Standard:

  • Pardon me.
  • Sorry.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Generally appropriate in most situations (formal and informal) for its core uses (attention, passing, minor apology).
  • The disagreeing Excuse me?! is less formal and can sound confrontational depending on tone.
  • Using it after a bodily noise is optional and varies by personal habit/upbringing.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The biggest confusion is between Excuse me? (requesting passage/attention, rising intonation) and Excuse me! (indignant/disagreeing, sharper tone). Learners need to rely on intonation and context.
  • Non-native speakers might use it too often or not often enough, appearing overly apologetic or slightly rude.

Examples

  • Getting attention: Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is?
  • Minor bump: Oops, excuse me.
  • Passing through: Excuse me, can I get past?
  • Interrupting: Excuse me for interrupting, but the meeting starts in 5 minutes.
  • Disagreement (polite but firm): Excuse me, but I think you'll find those figures are incorrect.
  • After burping (optional): Excuse me.

Dialogue

Scenario 1 (Attention):

Person A: Excuse me?

Person B: Yes?

Person A: Do you know where the nearest ATM is?

Person B: Sure, it's just around the corner.

Scenario 2 (Passing through):

Person A: Excuse me, sorry, just need to get by.

Person B: Oh, sure. (Moves aside)

Person A: Thanks.

Scenario 3 (Disagreement):

Speaker: ...and the data clearly shows a 20% increase.

Listener: Excuse me, but my report shows only 15%. Could we check the source?

Social Media Examples

  • Asking for help: Excuse me everyone, does anyone know how to fix this error? #TechSupport
  • Replying to an offensive comment: Excuse me? That's completely inappropriate.

Response Patterns

To getting attention/passing through:

  • Giving attention (Yes?, How can I help?).
  • Moving aside.
  • Sure. / Okay. / Go ahead.

To apology (bump/interruption):

  • No problem. / It's okay. / Don't worry about it.
  • Often just a nod or ignored if very minor.

To disagreement Excuse me:

  • What do you mean?
  • Defensiveness (I checked those figures!).
  • Openness to correction (Oh? Show me.).

To Excuse me after bodily noise:

  • Usually ignored out of politeness.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After saying Excuse me to get attention:

  • Immediately state your reason/question (Could you help me?, Do you have the time?).

After saying Excuse me to pass:

  • Move past once space is made, possibly adding Thanks.

After hearing Excuse me? (for attention):

  • Indicate willingness to listen (Yes?, Hmm?).

After hearing Excuse me (disagreement):

  • Seek clarification (What part do you disagree with?).

Conversation Starter

  • Yes, when used to get someone's attention politely to initiate a conversation or request.

Intonation

  • Getting attention/Passing through: Clear, slightly rising intonation on me?. Excuse ME?
  • Apology (bump/interruption): Quicker, often lower pitch, falling intonation. Excuse me.
  • Disagreement: Firmer tone, stress maybe on ExCUSE me, indicating challenge or surprise.
  • After bodily noise: Quiet, brief, falling intonation.

Generation Differences

  • Universal across generations for core meanings.
  • Younger generations might use Sorry more often for minor bumps.
  • The indignant/disagreeing Excuse me?! is perhaps less common among younger people than direct disagreement or expressions like Seriously?.

Regional Variations

  • Standard in all major English-speaking regions.
  • Pardon me or just Pardon? might be slightly more common in some UK contexts for asking someone to repeat themselves than Excuse me?.
Please
🎲 Sorry