Can you excuse us, please?

Can you excuse us, please?

A phrase used to inform someone (or a group) that two or more people are leaving or need a moment of privacy. Could you excuse us, please? We have a train to catch. I need to talk to Tom for a minute—could you excuse us, please?

See also: can, excuse

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Could you excuse us, please?

 and Can you excuse us, please?; Would you excuse us, please?; Will you excuse us, please?

We must leave. I hope you will forgive us. (A polite way of announcing a departure.) Bill: Could you excuse us, please? We simply must rush off. Alice: So sorry you have to go. Come back when you can stay longer.

See also: could, excuse

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.