Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [beg awf, of]
- /bɛg ɔf, ɒf/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [beg awf, of]
- /bɛg ɔf, ɒf/
Definitions of beg off words
- verb beg off to ask to be released from an engagement, obligation, etc 3
- noun beg off to ask to be released from some obligation 3
- verb with object beg off to ask for as a gift, as charity, or as a favor: to beg alms; to beg forgiveness. 1
- verb with object beg off to ask (someone) to give or do something; implore: He begged me for mercy. Sit down, I beg you. 1
- verb with object beg off to take for granted without basis or justification: a statement that begs the very point we're disputing. 1
- verb with object beg off to fail or refuse to come to grips with; avoid; evade: a report that consistently begs the whole problem. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of beg off
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English beggen, by assimilation from Old English *bedican, syncopated variant of bedecian to beg; compare Gothic bidagwa beggar. See bead
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Beg off
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
beg off popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 95% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
beg off usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for beg off
verb beg off
- balk — If you balk at something, you definitely do not want to do it or to let it happen.
- renege — Cards. to play a card that is not of the suit led when one can follow suit; break a rule of play.
- backtrack — If you backtrack on a statement or decision you have made, you do or say something that shows that you no longer agree with it or support it.
- take back — to get into one's hold or possession by voluntary action: to take a cigarette out of a box; to take a pen and begin to write.
- cancel — If you cancel something that has been arranged, you stop it from happening. If you cancel an order for goods or services, you tell the person or organization supplying them that you no longer wish to receive them.
Antonyms for beg off
verb beg off
- permit — to allow to do something: Permit me to explain.
- uphold — to support or defend, as against opposition or criticism: He fought the duel to uphold his family's honor.
- dispute — to engage in argument or debate.
- dissent — to differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority; withhold assent; disagree (often followed by from): Two of the justices dissented from the majority decision.
- refuse — to decline to accept (something offered): to refuse an award.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with b
- Words starting with be
- Words starting with beg
- Words starting with bego
- Words starting with begof
- Words starting with begoff