pardon

(I) beg your pardon, but... and Begging your pardon, but...

Please excuse me, but. (A very polite and formal way of interrupting, bringing something to someone's attention, or asking a question of a stranger.) Rachel: Beg your pardon, but I think your right front tire is a little low. Henry: Well, I guess it is. Thank you. John: Begging your pardon, ma'am, but weren't we on the same cruise ship in Alaska last July? Rachel: Couldn't have been me.

See also: beg, but

Excuse me. and Excuse, please.; Pardon (me).; 'Scusc (me).; 'Scusc, please. 

1. an expression asking forgiveness for some minor social violation, such as belching or bumping into someone. ('Scuse is colloquial, and the apostrophe is not always used.) John: Ouch! Bob: Excuse me. I didn't see you there. Mary: Oh! Ow! Sue: Pardon me. I didn't mean to bump into you. Tom: Ouch! Mary: Oh, dear! What happened? Tom: You stepped on my toe. Mary: Excuse me. I'm sorry.

2. Please let me through.; Please let me by. Tom: Excuse me. I need to get past. Bob: Oh, sorry. I didn't know I was in the way. Mary: Pardon me. Sue: What? Mary: Pardon me. I want to get past you.

See also: excuse

if you'll pardon the expression

Fig. excuse the expression I am about to say or just said. This thing is—if you'll pardon the expression—loused up. I'm really jacked, if you'll pardon the expression.

See also: expression, if

Never ask pardon before you are accused.

Prov. Do not apologize for something if nobody knows that you did it, because by apologizing, you are admitting that you did it. Alan: Should I apologize to Jane for losing the necktie she gave me? Jane: Wait and see if she asks you what happened to the necktie. Never ask pardon before you are accused.

See also: ask, before, never

pardon someone for something 

1. to excuse someone for doing something. Will you please pardon me for what I did? I can't pardon her for that.

2. to excuse and release a convicted criminal. The governor pardoned Max for his crime. The governor did not pardon any drug dealers for their crimes.

Pardon me for living!

Inf. a very indignant response to a criticism or rebuke. Fred: Oh, I thought you had already taken yourself out of here! Sue: Well, pardon me for living! Tom: Butt out, Mary! Bill and I are talking. Mary: Pardon me for living!

Pardon my French, and Excuse my French.

Inf. Excuse my use of swear words or taboo words. (Does not refer to real French.) Pardon my French, but this is a hell of a day. What she needs is a kick in the ass, if you'll excuse my French.

See also: french

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Pardon me for breathing/living!  (informal)

something that you say when you are angry with someone because they are always criticizing you or getting annoyed with you 'If you're just going to get in my way, James, can you leave the kitchen?' 'Oh, pardon me for breathing, I'm sure!'

Pardon my French!  (British humorous)

something that you say which means you are sorry because you have said an impolite word The silly sod never turned up, pardon my French.

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excuse me (spoken)

1. I am sorry to interrupt you Oh, excuse me, I didn't know you were busy.

2. that was not what I intended to say or do As a kid growing up, my family grew strawberries, excuse me, grew tomatoes.

3. I did not hear you Which office do you work in? Excuse me?

Related vocabulary: pardon me

See also: excuse

pardon me also I beg your pardon

1. please repeat what you just said Pardon me - what did you say your name was?

2. I am sorry for what I just did Oh, I beg your pardon! I didn't see your foot there!

3. May I please have your attention? Pardon me, does this train go to Oakland?

4. I do not agree with what you just said Pardon me, but I think you've got it backwards.

Related vocabulary: excuse me

Usage notes: in all cases, I beg your pardon is more formal than pardon me