When you've upset someone, what do you think is the best way to apologise?

A natural way to answer

I think the best apology is a sincere one that takes full responsibility. Acknowledge what you did, explain that you understand why it hurt them, and avoid justifying yourself. After that, give the person space and let your actions show you mean it.

Key phrases to use

• own up to — to admit that you did something wrong“He owned up to breaking the vase straight away.”
• wriggle out of — to avoid something you should do or take responsibility for, often by clever excuses“He always tries to wriggle out of doing the dishes.”
• passing the buck — shifting responsibility or blame onto someone else“Instead of apologising, he just kept passing the buck.”
• hold your hands up — to openly admit you were wrong or at fault“I'll hold my hands up — that one was my fault.”
• do the same thing all over again — to repeat the very behaviour you apologised for“What's the point of saying sorry if you do the same thing all over again?”