Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

beg one's pardon

idiom

Definition of beg one's pardon

—the phrase I beg your pardon is used in polite speech to apologize when one has done something impolite or has made a mistake
  • I beg your pardon. 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 one is 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 one has not heard or understood something clearly
  • I beg your pardon. 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."

Word by Word Definitions

beg play

  1. : to ask for as a charity (see charity 1a)

  2. : to ask earnestly for : entreat

  3. : to require as necessary or appropriate

See the full definition of beg
pardon play

  1. : indulgence

  2. : the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty

  3. : a release from the legal penalties of an offense

  1. : to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime

  2. : to allow (an offense) to pass without punishment : forgive

  3. : to relieve of a penalty improperly assessed

See the full definition of pardon

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up beg one's pardon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games