beg (redirected from going begging)

be going begging

if something is going begging, it is available to be taken because no one else wants it. There's a big box of apples going begging.

See also: going

beg the question

1. if a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask a particular question. It's all very well talking about extra staff but it rather begs the question of how we're going to pay for them.

2. if something that someone says begs the question, it suggests that something is true which might in fact be false. We're assuming, are we, that Anthony will still be in charge this time next year? That rather begs the question, doesn't it?

See also: question

I beg to differ/disagree (formal)

a polite way of saying that you disagree with something that someone has said. I beg to differ with Mr Stahl's final assertion.

See also: differ, disagree

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beg off

to excuse yourself from something. I had the chance to spend the day at the beach, but I begged off, saying I had too much work on my desk.

beg the question

1. to cause a particular question to be asked. Cyber adventurers can even climb a mountain, which begs the question of how can someone at a keyboard take a hike?

2. to fail to answer a particular question. Everyone agrees we have to cut spending, but this proposal begs the question, What do we cut?

See also: question

beg to differ (with someone)

to have a different opinion. Some people think losing that game brought the team together, but I beg to differ — the team has always been together. Many believe our planet is in danger, but I beg to disagree — it's not our planet but human existence that's in danger.

See also: differ

(I) beg your pardon

pardon me

See also: pardon

go begging

to be available. Good jobs still go begging in the health care and teaching fields.