beg /beɡ/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle begged , present participle begging )
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Origin: Probably from Old English bedecian ]
1 . ASK [intransitive and transitive] 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 agreed.
She fought back the sudden urge to run to him and beg his forgiveness.
beg to do something
The children begged to come with us.
beg somebody to do something
I begged Helen to stay, but she wouldn’t listen.
beg (somebody) for something
She ran to the nearest house and begged for help.
We could hear the prisoners begging for mercy.
I beg of you formal (=please)
Listen, I beg of you.
beg leave to do something formal (=ask permission to do something)
2 . MONEY/FOOD [intransitive and transitive] to ask people to give you food, money etc, usually because you are very poor
beg (something) from somebody
a ragged child begging from passing shoppers
beg for
The old man went from door to door begging for food.
a begging letter (=a letter asking for money)
3 . ANIMAL [intransitive] if a dog begs, it sits up with its front legs off the ground
4 . I beg your pardon spoken
a) 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.’
b) used to say sorry when you have made a mistake, or said something wrong or embarrassing:
Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought you said 15 pence, not 50.
c) 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!’
5 . I beg to differ spoken formal used to say firmly that you do not agree with something that has been said:
I must beg to differ on this point.
6 . beg the question
a) to make you want to ask a question that has not yet been answered
beg the question of
This proposal begs the question of who is going to pay for the new building.
b) to treat an idea as though it were true or had been proved, when this may not be the case
7 . be going begging British English spoken if something is going begging, it is available for anyone who wants it:
There’s a beer going begging, if anyone’s interested.
8 . beg, borrow, or steal to do whatever you must in order to get what you want – often used humorously:
She’d beg, borrow, or steal the money for those shoes.
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THESAURUS
■ to ask for something
▪ ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
▪ order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
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Have you ordered yet?
▪ demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for:
They’re demanding immediate payment.
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If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
▪ request formal to ask for something:
The pilot requested permission to land.
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I enclose the information you requested.
▪ beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
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I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
▪ nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
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People were pestering him for his autograph.