BEG

[verb] -gg- - (of someone poor) to ask for food or money, or (of anyone) to request strongly and without prideThere are more and more homeless young people begging on the streets these days. [I]She had to beg for money and food for her children. [I]They begged for mercy. [I](formal) Stop it, I beg you! [T + object +speech]"Please, please forgive me!" she begged (him). [(+ object) + speech]I'm dying for a cigarette. Could I beg one off/from you? [T]He begged her to stay, but she simply laughed and put her bags in the car. [T + object + to infinitive]She begged that her name not be printed in the newspaper. [+ that clause]If a dog begs, it sits with its front legs in the air as if to ask for something.They have trained their dog to sit up and beg.To beg the question is to avoid dealing with a particular matter, or to accept that something that is being considered is true, without question or proof.Spending the summer travelling round India is a great idea, but it begs the question of how we can afford it.To discuss the company's future begs the question whether it has a future.To beg off is to ask to be allowed not to do something that you are expected to be doing.She begged off early from the party because she was so tired.(informal) If something is going begging, it is available to be taken because no one else wants it.If that bottle of wine is going begging, I'll have it.I beg to differ/disagree is a polite way of saying "I do not agree".(saying) 'Beg, borrow or steal' means that you will do whatever is necessary to obtain something.I must get a dress for the ball, whether I have to beg, borrow or steal one.I beg your pardon is a polite way of saying "I am sorry" or "Could you repeat what you just said?".