excuse you

English

Etymology

By analogy with excuse me, which is used to apologize. First appears in the late twentieth century.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Phrase

excuse you

  1. (US, Canada, derogatory, often sarcastic) An indignant response to an individual who has behaved rudely or insolently and has failed to apologize.
    • 1996, Vickie Moore, This Time Forever, page 123:
      He raised his brows, 'Excuse me, or should I say, excuse you?'
    • 2000, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith, Legally Blonde:
      Excuse you, you're in my way.
    • 2007, Gary Smiley, Seasons of Liberty, page 19:
      Finally, the girl managed to utter, “Well, excuse you,” and turned to leave. George fumbled for words. “Wait. Don't go,” he pleaded. “Please, allow me to apologize. Can I, uh... buy you a Coke, or something?”
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