Accidentally Blocking Someone
You realize you are unintentionally blocking someone's path or access and need to quickly acknowledge it and move, possibly apologizing.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
excuse me
A polite phrase used to get someone's attention or apologize for interrupting, especially in crowded places like when you need to pass by.
get by
Means to pass through or move past something or someone, often used in situations where space is limited.
my bad
An informal way to apologize for a small mistake, common in casual conversations among friends or colleagues.
realize
To become aware of something you didn't notice before, like realizing you're blocking someone's path.
in the way
Describes being positioned so that you block or obstruct someone's movement or access.
no worries
A casual response meaning 'it's okay' or 'don't worry about it,' used to reassure someone after an apology.
hold up
To delay or stop someone from continuing, often used when apologizing for causing a wait.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I'm just trying to get by here.
This sentence is a polite request to move aside in a crowded space. 'Excuse me' gets attention, and 'just trying to get by' explains the need softly. Use it when you need to pass without sounding rude; it's useful for everyday situations like in stores or streets.
Oh, my bad! So sorry, I didn't even realize I was in the way.
This is an informal apology for accidentally blocking someone. 'My bad' admits fault casually, and 'didn't even realize' shows it was unintentional. The past tense 'realize' and 'was' indicate awareness after the fact. Use this in friendly encounters to apologize quickly and sincerely.
No worries at all! Thanks for moving.
A reassuring response to an apology, meaning it's no problem. 'No worries' is idiomatic for 'don't worry,' and 'at all' emphasizes it strongly. Use this to accept an apology politely and thank the person, common in casual English to keep interactions positive.
Yeah, of course. Hope I didn't hold you up too much.
This follows an apology, agreeing to help and expressing hope no harm was done. 'Yeah, of course' means 'yes, naturally,' and 'hold you up' is a phrasal verb for delaying. Use it to show consideration after moving, helpful for building polite conversations.