Literally, excuse me means something like “forgive me”. The last part is related to “accuse”, and “ex” can be translated as “away from”.

But we use it in lots of other ways.

One is to get someone’s attention: Excuse me, do you know when the #3 bus is coming?

Another is sarcastic: Excuse me for living; or excuuuse meee (when someone has taken too much offense at something harmless).

People also use excuse me as a way of introducing something they think might be a stupid question: excuse me, but can you tell me what that thing is?

Hope those helped.

In this way, ‘Excuse me’ is used as a polite expression, when addressing a stranger, when interrupting or disagreeing with someone, or to request repetition of what has just been said. In these circumstances it doesn’t literally mean, “Sorry I have to leave the room”.

Hope this was some help, good luck with the essay!

2. You want attention.

3. When you are asked to write an essay titled “What do you mean when you say excuse me?” [excuse me, is this what i supposed to hand in? An essay of excuse me’s???]

4. Something I will say when I saw this question of yours… 🙂

5. When you want to be excused…

“I didn’t mean to cut you off mid-sentence.”

“I didn’t mean to may you sad.”

“I didn’t mean to eat that last piece of succulent cheesecake. (OK, I did mean to.)”

“I’m not sorry for what I say, but I have to pretend that I did.”