with me, Feifei...

Rob: ...and me, Rob. Now excuse me Feifei,

I just need to reach over and get

a tissue before I... SNEEZE! Oh excuse me!

Feifei: Are you getting a cold?

Rob: Oh excuse me, I've just got to get this.

Hi mum, I've told you not to call me at work

I'll call you tonight. OK? Bye.

Sorry about that.

Feifei: ...Rob, are you going to do any work?

Rob: Excuse me! I am working very hard to explain

today's piece of authentic English.

Feifei: Excuse me? Say that again.

Rob: Yes - that's it - our phrase today

is two words with many different meanings

- 'excuse me'.

Feifei: I see - so when you sneeze or make a rude noise

you can apologise by saying 'excuse me!'

Rob: Exactly. And when I wanted you to move

so that I could reach for the tissues, I said

'excuse me' to politely ask you to move

so that I could reach them. A bit like this...

Example: Excuse me, could you move down the bus

please so that I can get on. Thanks!

Feifei: And what about that phone call?

Rob: Ah yes, I said 'excuse me' as a polite way

of apologising for the interruption.

Feifei: So you were being polite and then

you were being rude when you said 'excuse me!'

Rob: Well, I was expressing shock and disbelief

that you thought I wasn't working.

A bit like this...

Example: Excuse me! How can you say I don't do any

housework - I cleaned the bathroom yesterday.

Rob: And then you said 'excuse me?'

because you didn't understand what I said earlier

- as usual - and you wanted me to repeat it.

Feifei: Excuse me! That's not fair. Any other uses?

Rob: Yes. Here's another one...

Example: Excuse me, do you know the way

to the railway station?

Feifei: OK, that's 'excuse me' to get someone's

attention. Well Rob, now I've got your attention,

you'll have to 'excuse me' because I've got to go.

Rob: A very good use of 'excuse me' Feifei -

politely saying you have to go.

So, can you think of any more...? Feifei? Feifei?

Oh she really has gone.

Rob: Bye.