From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishexcuse meexcuse mespoken a) REPEATused when you want to get someone’s attention politely, especially when you want to ask a question Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the museum please? b) SORRY/APOLOGIZEused to say that you are sorry for doing something rude or embarrassing Oh, excuse me. I didn’t know anyone was here. c) LET/ALLOWused to ask someone politely to move so that you can walk past Excuse me, could I just squeeze past? d) LEAVE A PLACEused to politely tell someone that you are leaving a place Excuse me a moment. I’ll be right back. e) DISAGREEused when you disagree with someone but want to be polite about it SYN I’m sorry Excuse me, but I don’t think that’s what he meant at all. f) American EnglishSORRY/APOLOGIZE used to show that you disagree with someone or are very surprised or upset by what they have just said ‘You’re going to pay, right?’ ‘Excuse me?’ g) especially American EnglishREPEAT used to ask someone to repeat something that they have just said SYN pardon me ‘What time is it?’ ‘Excuse me?’ ‘I asked you what time it is.’ → excuse
Examples from the Corpus
excuse me• Answer, all I know is Sam and Diane were there, was there, excuse me.• Oh, excuse me. Did I mispronounce your name?• Excuse me for a minute. I'll be right back.• Oh excuse me, I am.• Oh, excuse me. I didn't know you were standing in line.• Excuse me - I didn't realize there was anyone in here.• If you will excuse me I must get back to lurking.• Excuse me. I need to get through.• Oh, excuse me, is that your bag I just stood on?• Excuse me. Is this the right bus to the airport?• Well, excuse me, M'Lud, there are other explanations. 