Phrase guide

beg off

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To obtain somebody's permission to skip or cancel an event that one has previously arranged with them.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I wonder if I can beg off going to the meeting that day, since it will take me an extra two hours out of my way.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

ask for permission to be released from an engagement

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: excuse

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: request, bespeak, call for, quest

History

Etymology

beg + off