beg 
/ˈbɛg/ verb
begs; begged; beg·ging /ˈbɛg/ verb 1 : to ask people for money or food [no obj] ▪ A homeless man begs on that corner every day. ▪ children begging for food [+ obj] ▪ children begging strangers for food ▪ children begging food from strangers 2 a : to ask (someone) in a very serious and emotional way for something needed or wanted very much [+ obj] ▪ He begged the doctor for medicine. ▪ He begged her for forgiveness. = He begged her to forgive him. ▪ She begged him to read the story again. ▪ I beg you to help them! = Help them, I beg you! ▪ “Help them!” I begged. [no obj] — + of ▪ (formal) I beg of you to help them!
b : to ask for (something needed or wanted very much) in a very serious and emotional way [+ obj] ▪ He got down on his knees and begged forgiveness. = He got down on his knees and begged to be forgiven. ▪ He begged that she would forgive him. ▪ begging a favor of someone [no obj] ▪ He's too proud to beg. ▪ He begged for forgiveness. 3 [no obj] of a dog : to sit up on the back legs with the front legs raised
▪ “Does your dog know any tricks?” “She knows how to beg.” 4 [+ obj] of a thing : to seem perfect for some purpose : to be very well suited for something — followed by to + verb ▪ I couldn't resist cutting some of the flowers. They were just begging to be made into a bouquet. ▪ a scene begging to be photographed [=a scene that should be photographed]
b : to ask for (something needed or wanted very much) in a very serious and emotional way [+ obj] ▪ He got down on his knees and begged forgiveness. = He got down on his knees and begged to be forgiven. ▪ He begged that she would forgive him. ▪ begging a favor of someone [no obj] ▪ He's too proud to beg. ▪ He begged for forgiveness.
▪ “Does your dog know any tricks?” “She knows how to beg.”
beg, borrow, or/and steal
informal : to do whatever is necessary to get something that is wanted or needed
▪ We'll have to beg, borrow, or steal the extra chairs we need for the party.
▪ We'll have to beg, borrow, or steal the extra chairs we need for the party.
beg leave
formal + old-fashioned : to ask for permission — followed by to + verb ▪ We beg leave to offer our humble thanks. ▪ I beg leave to differ with you, sir.
beg off
[phrasal verb] informal : to say that you cannot do something that you have been asked to do or have agreed to do
▪ He originally said he'd go to the party, but he later begged off (going), claiming he had to work that night.
▪ He originally said he'd go to the party, but he later begged off (going), claiming he had to work that night.
beg the question 1 : to cause someone to ask a specified question as a reaction or response
▪ The quarterback's injury begs the question of who will start in his place. ▪ The tragic drowning begs the question: why are there no safe places in the area for children to swim? 2 formal : to ignore a question or issue by assuming it has been answered or settled
▪ Their proposed solution begs the question of whether the changes in the town are actually a problem.
▪ The quarterback's injury begs the question of who will start in his place. ▪ The tragic drowning begs the question: why are there no safe places in the area for children to swim?
▪ Their proposed solution begs the question of whether the changes in the town are actually a problem.
beg to differ
: to politely disagree with someone
▪ You say that the candidates are essentially the same, but I beg to differ. [=I do not agree]
▪ You say that the candidates are essentially the same, but I beg to differ. [=I do not agree]
beg your pardon
◊The phrase I beg your pardon is used in polite speech to apologize when you have done something impolite or when you have made a mistake.
▪ I beg your pardon. [=sorry, excuse me] I didn't mean to bump into you like that. ▪ I beg your pardon. You're correct; the amount is 12 dollars. It can be used to show that you are annoyed or offended by something that another person has said. ▪ “That boy isn't very bright.” “I beg your pardon! That's my son!” It can also be used as a question when you have not heard or understood something clearly. ▪ I beg your pardon [=excuse me, sorry]? What did you say? The shorter form beg pardon is also used informally this way. ▪ “He's been in Haiti for the past two months.” “Beg pardon? He's been in Hawaii?” “No, Haiti.”
▪ I beg your pardon. [=sorry, excuse me] I didn't mean to bump into you like that. ▪ I beg your pardon. You're correct; the amount is 12 dollars. It can be used to show that you are annoyed or offended by something that another person has said. ▪ “That boy isn't very bright.” “I beg your pardon! That's my son!” It can also be used as a question when you have not heard or understood something clearly. ▪ I beg your pardon [=excuse me, sorry]? What did you say? The shorter form beg pardon is also used informally this way. ▪ “He's been in Haiti for the past two months.” “Beg pardon? He's been in Hawaii?” “No, Haiti.”
go begging
chiefly Brit : to be something that few or no people want
▪ With the poor economy, many expensive restaurants now have tables that go begging. [=tables that are empty because there are no customers] ▪ If that last biscuit's (still) going begging, can I have it, please?
▪ With the poor economy, many expensive restaurants now have tables that go begging. [=tables that are empty because there are no customers] ▪ If that last biscuit's (still) going begging, can I have it, please?
