🕐 Reading time: 7 minutes
Your supervisor gives you an instruction. They speak quickly. You catch one or two words, but the rest disappears. Everyone else seems to understand. You nod — but inside, you have no idea what to do next.
This happens every day in UK workplaces. Noisy warehouses, busy kitchens, fast briefings — there are many reasons you might miss what someone says. And the good news is: asking someone to repeat is completely normal and professional in the UK.
This guide gives you the exact phrases to use when you need someone to say something again — politely, confidently, and without feeling embarrassed.
AI Quick Answer
When you need someone to repeat something at work, use the REPEAT Formula: recognise you missed it, excuse yourself politely, point to the specific detail you missed, and ask clearly — for example, “Sorry, I didn’t catch the last part — could you say that again, please?” Most UK managers prefer you to ask rather than guess and make a mistake.
This guide teaches you the REPEAT Formula — a simple 6-step structure for asking someone to repeat at work with confidence. Works in warehouses, kitchens, care homes, offices — anywhere.
📌 Quick Summary
- Asking someone to repeat is professional — not embarrassing.
- Use the REPEAT Formula: Recognise, Excuse, Point, Explain, Ask, Thank.
- Point to the specific part you missed — don’t ask them to repeat everything.
- Say “Sorry?” or “Pardon?” — never just “What?”
- If they’ve repeated twice, ask them to write it down.
Why Asking Someone to Repeat Matters
Many workers feel embarrassed when they miss something — especially in a noisy workplace or when English isn’t their first language. But staying silent is always worse than asking.
When you ask someone to repeat politely, your manager sees you as:
- Careful — you don’t guess when it matters
- Professional — you know how to ask without being rude
- Reliable — you make sure you get the right information
- Honest — you admit when you missed something
Workers who pretend they understood are more likely to pick the wrong bay, go to the wrong zone, or miss an important deadline. A five-second question prevents all of that.
Useful Phrases to Ask Someone to Repeat
General — polite and simple
“Sorry, could you say that again, please?”
“Pardon? I didn’t quite hear that.”
When it was noisy
“Sorry, it’s quite loud here — could you repeat that?”
“Sorry, I missed that over the noise — which zone did you say?”
When they spoke too fast
“Sorry, I didn’t catch all of that. Could you say the last part again?”
“Could you say that a bit slower, please? I want to make sure I get it right.”
When you need one specific detail
“Sorry, could you repeat the location, please?”
On the phone or radio
“Sorry, the line was unclear. Could you say that again?”
Confirming after they repeat
“OK, so Zone C at half two. Got it — thank you.”
Step-by-Step: The REPEAT Formula
R — Recognise you missed it
The first step is internal — notice that you didn’t hear or understand. Don’t keep nodding and hoping it will become clear. The moment you realise you missed something, act.
E — Excuse yourself politely
Start with “Sorry…” or “Excuse me…”. This softens the request and shows respect. Never just say “What?” — it sounds rude in UK workplaces.
P — Point to what you need repeated
Be specific about the part you missed. “I caught Bay 14, but which zone did you say?” This is much better than “Can you say the whole thing again?” It saves time for everyone.
E — Explain briefly (optional)
If it helps, give a quick reason: “It was quite loud just then” or “The line was unclear.” This is optional — skip it if the reason is obvious.
A — Ask clearly
Make your request clear: “Could you say that again, please?” or “Could you repeat the time?” A direct, polite question gets a direct answer.
T — Thank them
Always finish with “Thanks” or “Cheers”. This closes the moment positively and makes the other person feel respected for repeating. Confirm what you heard: “Zone C at half two — got it. Thanks.”
🎬 Real Workplace Scenario
Situation: Amir works in a warehouse. During the morning briefing, his supervisor says: “Right, today we’re doing the returns from Bay 14 and re-stocking Zone C before the delivery comes in at half two.” Amir heard “Bay 14” and “delivery” — but he missed the zone and the time.
After the briefing, Amir speaks to his supervisor:
“Sorry — I caught Bay 14, but which zone did you say? And what time is the delivery?”
Supervisor’s response:
“Zone C, half two. No worries, Amir.”
Amir confirms:
“Zone C, half two. Got it — cheers.”
✅ Five seconds. Amir showed what he heard, pointed to the gap, got the answer, and confirmed. No one thought less of him for asking.
✅ Asking Someone to Repeat — Checklist
Before you walk away from an instruction, check:
- ☐ Did I recognise straight away that I missed something?
- ☐ Did I start with “Sorry” or “Excuse me”?
- ☐ Did I point to the specific part I missed?
- ☐ Did I ask clearly and politely?
- ☐ Did I repeat back what I heard to confirm?
- ☐ Did I say thank you?
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Wrong: Staying silent and guessing what they said.
✅ Better: “Sorry, could you say that again, please?”
Guessing leads to bigger mistakes. A five-second question saves hours.
❌ Wrong: “What?” or “Huh?”
✅ Better: “Sorry?” or “Pardon?”
“What?” sounds rude in UK workplaces. One extra word changes the impression completely.
❌ Wrong: “I don’t understand anything.”
✅ Better: “I caught the first part, but could you repeat the last bit?”
Point to the gap. Saying “anything” makes you sound lost — pointing to the gap makes you sound engaged.
❌ Wrong: Asking them to repeat three or four times.
✅ Better: After the second time, try: “Could you write it down for me, please?”
Switching to written avoids frustration and gives you a reference to check later.
Vocabulary to Know
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat | Say something again | “Could you repeat that, please?” |
| Catch | Hear or understand (informal) | “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.” |
| Pardon | A polite way to ask someone to repeat | “Pardon? I didn’t hear you.” |
| Come again | Informal British way to say “please repeat” | “Come again? I missed that.” |
| Briefing | A short meeting to explain tasks | “In the morning briefing…” |
| Got it | Informal — I understand now | “Got it — Zone C. Thanks.” |
| Clarify | Make something clearer | “Could you clarify the last part?” |
🇬🇧 UK Workplace Tip
In British English, “Pardon?” is a very polite way to ask someone to repeat. You can say it on its own, or use “I beg your pardon?” for more formal situations. Another common informal phrase is “Come again?” — you may hear British colleagues use this. Both are perfectly acceptable at work and sound much better than “What?”.
💡 Expert Note: The REPEAT Formula at a Glance
| Letter | Step | Example |
|---|---|---|
| R | Recognise you missed it | (You notice you didn’t hear clearly) |
| E | Excuse yourself politely | “Sorry…” |
| P | Point to the gap | “…I missed the zone number.” |
| E | Explain briefly (optional) | “It was quite loud.” |
| A | Ask clearly | “Could you say that again?” |
| T | Thank them | “Got it — thanks.” |
You don’t need all six steps every time. In a quick conversation, E + P + A is often enough: “Sorry, which zone was that?”
🤖 Need the Right Words Fast?
Our free Phrase Helper gives you ready-made polite phrases for any workplace situation — including asking someone to repeat, clarify, or slow down. No sign-up needed.
Try Phrase Helper Free →📝 Quick Quiz — Test Yourself
Choose the best answer, then tap to reveal.
1. Your supervisor gives an instruction but you didn’t hear the location. What do you say?
A. “What?”
B. “Sorry, could you repeat the location, please?”
C. Say nothing and guess.
👉 Reveal Answer
✅ Answer: B — point to the specific detail you missed and ask politely. Far better than guessing.
2. You already asked someone to repeat once and still didn’t hear. What should you try next?
A. Ask them to repeat a third time.
B. Give up and walk away.
C. “Could you write it down for me, please?”
👉 Reveal Answer
✅ Answer: C — switching to written is a professional way to get the information without asking again.
3. What does the “T” in the REPEAT Formula stand for?
A. Tell them why you didn’t listen.
B. Thank them.
C. Try again tomorrow.
👉 Reveal Answer
✅ Answer: B — always thank the person for repeating. It closes the moment positively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to ask someone to repeat at work?
No — the opposite. In UK workplaces, asking politely to repeat is professional. Managers prefer you to ask rather than guess and make a mistake. Just say “Sorry?” or “Pardon?” — never “What?” on its own.
What if they already repeated it once and I still didn’t hear?
Try switching format: “Could you write it down for me, please?” or “Could you show me?” This avoids asking a third time and still gets you the information you need.
How do I ask someone to repeat on the phone?
Say: “Sorry, the line was a bit unclear — could you say that again, please?” This lets the other person know it’s a connection issue, not a listening issue. For more ways to speak to your manager, see our guide on how to talk to your manager in English.
What is the difference between asking to repeat and asking for clarification?
Asking someone to repeat means you didn’t hear what they said. Asking for clarification means you heard the words but you’re not sure what they mean. If you need clarification, see our guide on how to say you don’t understand at work.
Related Articles
How to Say You Don’t Understand at Work
When you heard the words but don’t understand the meaning.
How to Ask for Help at Work
When you need more than a repeat — you need support.
How to Speak Politely at Work
Polite English phrases for every workplace situation.
How to Talk to Your Manager
Essential phrases for every conversation with your supervisor.
Free Phrase Helper
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This guide focuses on workplace communication and confidence in the UK. It is not legal, HR, immigration, or medical advice. For workplace procedures, always follow your employer’s official processes.