[excuse
oneself] {v. phr.} 1. To think of reasons for not being toblame; think yourself
not at fault.
John excused himself for hislow grades on the ground that the
teacher didn't like him.
2. To askto be excused after doing something impolite.
John excused himselffor his tardiness, saying his watch was wrong.
3. To ask
permissionto leave a group or place.
The committee meeting lasted so longthat
Mr. Wilkins excused himself to keep an appointment.
John hadto go to the
dentist's, so he excused himself and left the
classroom.
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