John used his old car as an excuse for not going to the meeting.
•My husband was sick in bed, and I used him as an excuse.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
use — use1 [ juz ] verb *** ▸ 1 do something with tool etc. ▸ 2 get benefit from something ▸ 3 take amount from supply ▸ 4 treat someone in unfair way ▸ 5 take illegal drugs ▸ 6 say particular words ▸ 7 call yourself something ▸ + PHRASES 1. )… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
excuse — ex|cuse1 S2 [ıkˈskju:z] v [T] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1 excuse me 2¦(forgive)¦ 3¦(from a duty)¦ 4¦(explain)¦ 5¦(from a place)¦ 6 excuse yourself 7 excuse me (for living)! ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ [Date: 1400 1500; : Old French; Origin: excuser, from … Dictionary of contemporary English
excuse — ♦♦♦ excuses, excusing, excused (The noun is pronounced [[t]ɪkskju͟ːs[/t]]. The verb is pronounced [[t]ɪkskju͟ːz[/t]].) 1) N COUNT: oft N for n/ ing, N to inf An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or… … English dictionary
use */*/*/ — I UK [juːz] / US [juz] verb Word forms use : present tense I/you/we/they use he/she/it uses present participle using past tense used past participle used 1) [transitive] to do something using a machine, tool, skill, method etc in order to do a… … English dictionary
excuse me — An expression used as an apology for any slight or apparent impropriety, esp as a request to pass, leave, interrupt or catch someone s attention or for contradicting a statement that has been made, or (US) when correcting oneself • • • Main Entry … Useful english dictionary
Something Positive — logo, Mr. Personality. Author(s) R. K. Milholland Website http:/ … Wikipedia
Addressing someone — When you talk to someone, you sometimes use their name. You can sometimes use their title, if they have one. Sometimes you use a word that shows how you feel about them, for example darling or idiot . Words used to address people are called… … Useful english dictionary
addressing someone — When you talk to someone, you sometimes use their name. You can sometimes use their title, if they have one. Sometimes you use a word that shows how you feel about them, for example darling or idiot . Words used to address people are called… … Useful english dictionary
hold — hold1 W1S1 [həuld US hould] v past tense and past participle held [held] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(in your hand/arms)¦ 2¦(event)¦ 3¦(keep something in position)¦ 4¦(job/title)¦ 5¦(keep/store)¦ 6¦(keep something available for somebody)¦ 7¦(keep somebody… … Dictionary of contemporary English
List of French words and phrases used by English speakers — Here are some examples of French words and phrases used by English speakers. English contains many words of French origin, such as art, collage, competition, force, machine, police, publicity, role, routine, table, and many other Anglicized… … Wikipedia
come — 1 /kVm/ verb past tense came past participle come MOVE 1 (I) a word meaning to move towards someone, or to visit or arrive at a place, used when the person speaking or the person listening is in that place: Come a little closer. | Sarah s coming… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
