I am looking for an expression how to ask 'leave the classroom for several minutes to call somebody or to blow my nose, etc.' We usually use such an expression 'May I come in' when we would like to enter the room and I am looking for its antonym. Is it suitable to use 'go out/go off' for this purpose? I mean 'to leave the room for several minutes and then go back.'
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2'May I come in?' is a stand-alone expression. But a stand-alone request wouldn't normally be acceptable in a classroom situation. 'Please(,) may I go to the toilet?' provides the reason most teachers would deem necessary. 'Please may I leave the room to phone my friend?' gives a reason that most teachers would not accept under normal circumstances.Edwin Ashworth– Edwin Ashworth2016-10-16 08:17:18 +00:00Commented Oct 16, 2016 at 8:17
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What is wrong with the phrase May I leave??BladorthinTheGrey– BladorthinTheGrey2016-10-16 08:43:52 +00:00Commented Oct 16, 2016 at 8:43
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1What @EdwinAshworth said. But if you feel you need to avoid providing background/detail about what you intend to do or why, you can ask May I please leave? The teacher might wonder why, but if s?he senses your seriousness or embarassment then s?he might well not ask why.Drew– Drew2016-10-16 15:05:22 +00:00Commented Oct 16, 2016 at 15:05
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1 Answer
May I be excused?
May I be excused? - May I leave this place, please?; May I leave to use the toilet?
Nature calls. May I be excused?
The student raised her hand and said, "Teacher, may I be excused?"
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
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2Very good. You may also say "step out" or "step out of the room [for a moment]", or "step into the hall [for a moment]."aparente001– aparente0012016-10-17 02:16:48 +00:00Commented Oct 17, 2016 at 2:16