excuse*/*/

[ɪkˈskjuːs] noun [C] I

1) a reason that you give to explain why you have done something bad, or why you have not done something that you should have done

a reasonable/valid/legitimate excuse[/ex]

He made some excuse about having a lot of work to do.[/ex]

What excuse did they give for the delay?[/ex]

2) a reason for doing something that you want to do

Birthdays are always a good excuse for a party.[/ex]

Emily was glad of an excuse to change the subject.[/ex]

•

there is no excuse for sth — 1) used for emphasizing that you think that someone's behaviour is very bad[/ex]

There's no excuse for treating a child that way.[/ex]

— 2) used for saying that someone should definitely do something

She only lives five minutes away, so there's really no excuse for not visiting her.[/ex]

II

verb [T]

excuse */*/[ɪkˈskjuːz]

1) to forgive someone for something

Please excuse my untidy handwriting.[/ex]

I hope you'll excuse us for leaving so early.[/ex]

2) to provide a reason or explanation for something bad that someone has done, in order to make it seem less bad

I know he's over 70, but that doesn't excuse his sexist attitudes.[/ex]

3) to give someone permission not to do something that they usually have to do

You're excused from doing the washing up tonight.[/ex]

4) to give someone permission to leave

Now if you'll excuse us, we have to get going.[/ex]

•

excuse me — spoken 1) used for politely getting someone's attention, or for showing that you are sorry for interrupting or touching them[/ex]

Excuse me, do you know what time it is?[/ex]

— 2) used for politely asking someone to move so that you can get past them; 3) used for politely telling someone that you are leaving

Excuse me for a moment - I have to make a phone call.[/ex]

excuse yourself — to politely say that you are going to leave a place[/ex]