beg

verb

1 I beg your pardon spoken

a) used to say sorry when you have made a mistake, or said something wrong or embarrassing: Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought you meant next Tuesday.

b) used to show that you strongly disagree with something that someone has said, or think it is unacceptable: "Chicago's an awful place." "I beg your pardon, that's where I'm from!"

c) used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said: "The meeting's on Wednesday." "I beg your pardon." "I said the meeting's on Wednesday."

2 ASK (I, T) to ask for something in an anxious or urgent way, because you want it very much: She begged and pleaded with them until they finally gave in. | beg (sb) to do sth: The children begged to come with us. | I begged Helen to stay but she wouldn't listen. | beg (sb) for sth: I'm begging you for help, Greg. | beg forgiveness/a favour/mercy etc: Can I beg a favour? | beg leave to do sth formal (=ask permission to do something)

3 MONEY/FOOD (I, T) to ask people to give you food, money etc because you are very poor: a begging letter | beg from sb: a ragged child begging from passing shoppers | beg (for) sth: They were reduced to begging food in the streets. | beg sth off sb spoken: Can I beg a cigarette off you?

4 I beg to differ spoken formal to say firmly that you do not agree with something that has been said: I must beg to differ on this point.

5 beg the question to discuss something in a way that makes it seem that a fact is definitely true when in fact it may not be: This planning proposal begs the question whether we need more sports facilities at all.

6 be going begging spoken if something is going begging, it is available for anyone who wants it: There's a bottle of wine going begging if anyone's interested.

7 DOG (I) if a dog begs, it sits up with its front legs off the ground