0100 Pardon me - English Idioms

Explanation

A polite phrase used similarly to Excuse me or Sorry.

Common uses:

Asking someone to repeat themselves (Pardon me? or Pardon?).
Apologizing for a minor social error (bumping, burping).
Politely indicating you need to pass through a crowd.
Sometimes used to express surprise or disagreement (similar to indignant Excuse me?!).

Origin

From French pardonner (to forgive). Literally asking for forgiveness for a minor transgression or interruption.
Considered slightly more formal than Sorry or Excuse me in some contexts, particularly in American English.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal (Asking to repeat):

Huh? (Can be seen as impolite)
Say what? (Very informal)

Slang/Informal (Apology):

My bad.
Scuse me. (Short for Excuse me)

Vulgar/Emphatic (Disagreement/Surprise):

What the fuck?!
Are you shitting me?!

Milder/Standard:

Sorry?
Excuse me.

Formal:

I beg your pardon? (For repeating or expressing strong surprise/offense)
My apologies. (For apology)

Situational Appropriateness

Generally seen as slightly more formal or polite than Sorry or Excuse me, especially in American English.
Very appropriate for asking someone to repeat themselves in most contexts.
Suitable for minor apologies (burp, cough) or passing through.
The indignant Pardon me?! is informal and confrontational.

Misunderstanding Warnings

Similar to Excuse me, the indignant usage relies heavily on tone and could be mistaken for a polite request to repeat if the tone isn't caught.
Using it excessively might make someone sound overly formal or slightly stiff in very casual settings.
# EMOTIONAL EXPRESSIONS

Examples

Asking to repeat: Pardon me? I didn't hear you. / Pardon?
Minor error: (After a small burp) Pardon me.
Passing through: Pardon me, coming through.
Disagreement/Surprise: Pardon me?! Did you just say I was wrong? (Tone is key)

Dialogue

Scenario 1 (Repeat):

Speaker A: We need to synergize our deliverables by EOD.

Speaker B: Pardon me? Could you say that again?

Speaker A: We need to get the reports finished by the end of the day.

Scenario 2 (Minor Error):

Person A: (Lets out a small hiccup) Pardon me.

Person B: (Ignores politely or nods slightly)

Scenario 3 (Passing):

Person A: Pardon me, excuse me. Need to get to the front.

Person B: Oh, sure. Go ahead.

Response Patterns

To Pardon me? (repeat):

Repeating the statement clearly.

To Pardon me (apology/passing):

That's okay. / No problem.
Moving aside.
Often ignored if very minor (like after a burp).

To indignant Pardon me?!:

Explanation (I meant...)
Confirmation (Yes, I did.)
Defensiveness.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After saying Pardon me? (repeat):

Listen to the repeated information. May say Thank you.

After saying Pardon me (passing):

Proceed past once space is made. May add Thanks.

After hearing indignant Pardon me?!:

Usually requires clarification or defense of the statement that caused offense.

Conversation Starter

No. Used mid-conversation or to initiate a brief functional exchange (like passing through).

Intonation

Asking to repeat: Rising intonation. PARDON me? or PARDON?
Apology/Passing through: Falling intonation, polite tone. Pardon me.
Disagreement/Surprise: Sharp, stressed, higher pitch. PARDON me?!

Generation Differences

May be perceived as slightly more old-fashioned than Sorry? or Excuse me? by some younger speakers, particularly in the US.
Still widely understood and used across generations, especially for asking to repeat or minor apologies. Common in British English.

Regional Variations

Very common in British English, often shortened to Pardon? for asking someone to repeat themselves.
Common in American English too, but perhaps perceived as slightly more formal than Excuse me? or Sorry?.

Sorry

🎲 Darn

[0100] Pardon me