n./ɪk'skjuːs/ a reason that you give to explain what you did

v./ɪk'skjuːz/ forgive sb, usually for sth that is not very serious

n. [C] 借口；辩解：[excuse for (doing) sth] What's your excuse for being late this time? 你这次迟到的借口是什么？

◇make an excuse 找借口

v. [T] 原谅；宽恕：Please excuse my bad handwriting. 请原谅我字写得潦草。

◇[excuse sb for (doing) sth] I hope you'll excuse me for being so late. 我来得这么晚，希望你能原谅。

excuse me 对不起，劳驾：[向陌生人提问时说，以引起注意] Excuse me, is this the way to the airport? 劳驾，这是去机场的路吗？

◇[请求他人让路] Excuse me, could you let me through? 对不起，可以让我过去吗？

◇[为做了尴尬或鲁莽的事而道歉] Excuse me, I didn't mean to step on your foot. 对不起，我不是有意踩到你脚的。

◇After sneezing loudly, he said, “Excuse me.” 大声打了个喷嚏后，他说了声“对不起。”

构词ex- + cuse （= cause原因）→“说出原因”引申为“借口”

音组-use/-juːz/ [见于动词]

abuse; accuse; amuse; confuse; excuse (v.); refuse; use (v.)

音组-use/-juːs/ [见于名词]

excuse (n.); use (n.)

常犯错误

✗ an excuse of not finishing the task

✓ an excuse for not finishing the task 未完成任务的理由

谚语A bad excuse is better than none. 找个勉强的借口总比没有借口好。

谚语He who excuses himself accuses himself. 为自己辩白的人其实是在谴责自己。

辨析excuse; forgive; pardon

辨析excuse me; I'm sorry