- A polite phrase used to signal a brief interruption of the current conversation or activity.
- It indicates the speaker needs to briefly step away, attend to something else, or pause the interaction.
Explanation
Origin
- Derived from the standard polite phrase Excuse me, which asks for pardon or forgiveness.
- Adding for a second (or moment, minute) specifies the interruption is expected to be short.
- Rooted in social etiquette norms regarding polite interruption.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Hang on a sec. / Hold up a sec.
- Gimme a sec. (Give me a second)
- Just a tic. (UK slang, less common)
More Direct/Abrupt (Can be rude depending on tone):
- Hold on.
- Wait.
Very Formal:
- Would you pardon me for just one moment?
Situational Appropriateness
- Generally appropriate in most situations, from casual to semi-formal.
- Very informal alternatives (Hang on, Gimme a sec) might be less suitable in professional settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally clear.
- Non-native speakers should understand it signals a very brief pause, not a lengthy departure.
Examples
- Excuse me for a second, I need to grab my charger.
- Could you hold that thought? Excuse me for a second... (Answers phone)
- Excuse me for a second, someone's at the door.
Dialogue
Anna: ...so then I told him that the deadline was moved up.
Ben: Oh really? Wow. Excuse me for a second... (His phone rings)
Anna: Sure, go ahead.
Ben: (Answers call briefly) ... Okay, sorry about that. What did he say?
Social Media Examples
- (During a live stream) Host: Chat, excuse me for a second, gotta adjust the mic.
- (In a group chat) Person A: Planning the meetup thoughts on Saturday? Person B: Excuse me for a sec, doorbell.
Response Patterns
- Sure.
- No problem.
- Go ahead.
- Take your time. (If the interrupter seems flustered)
- A simple nod or wave of acknowledgment.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing Excuse me for a second...:
- The listener usually pauses the conversation or activity and waits.
- They might offer help if appropriate (Need a hand?).
After the speaker returns:
- The speaker might say Thanks, Sorry about that, or Okay, where were we?
- The listener might prompt to resume (You were saying...?).
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Used to temporarily pause or step away from an ongoing interaction.
Intonation
- Generally spoken with a polite, slightly apologetic tone.
- Often a slight rise in pitch on second.
- Stress typically falls on Excuse. EXCUSE me for a SECOND.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across generations.
- Younger generations might use Just a sec or Hold on more frequently in casual contexts.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.