/ beg; NAmE / verb ( -gg- )
1.
beg (sb) (for sth) | beg (sth) (of / from sb) to ask sb for sth especially in an anxious way because you want or need it very much :
[ vn ]
They begged him for help.
I managed to beg a lift from a passing motorist.
She begged permission to leave.
[ v ]
He wants to see them beg for mercy.
( formal )
Don't leave me here, I beg of you!
[ vn to inf ]
She begged him not to go.
[ v to inf ]
He begged to be told the truth.
[ v speech ]
'Give me one more chance,' he begged.
[ v that ] ( formal )
She begged that she be allowed to go.
( BrE also)
She begged that she should be allowed to go.
[also vn speech ]
2.
beg (for sth) (from sb) | beg sth (from sb) to ask sb for money, food, etc., especially in the street :
[ v ]
London is full of homeless people begging in the streets.
The children were begging for food.
a begging letter (= one that asks sb for money)
[ vn ]
We managed to beg a meal from the cafe owner.
3.
[ v ] if a dog begs , it sits on its back legs with its front legs in the air, waiting to be given sth
•
IDIOMS
- beg leave to do sth
- be going begging
- beg sb's pardon
- beg the question
- I beg to differ
- I beg your pardon
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- beg off
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : probably from Old English bedecian , of Germanic origin; related to bid (II).