# excuse me

idiom · CEFR A1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/excuse-me
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

A polite phrase you use to get someone's attention, to say sorry for a small mistake, or to ask someone to move so you can pass.

## Examples

- Excuse me, is this seat taken?
- Excuse me, could you please move your bag so I can sit down?
- Excuse me, I believe you dropped your wallet while you were walking through the crowded station.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.