beg pardon
1. I apologize for what I just did or said. (Short for "I beg your pardon.") Oh, beg pardon! I wasn't looking where I was going. Sorry, 'scuse me, beg pardon! Just trying to get through with this cart—apologies if I bump you! Nancy? Oh, beg pardon, you're not Nancy, are you?
2. What did you just say? Could you please repeat that? Beg pardon? I couldn't quite hear you over the sound of traffic. A: "Where is the reception desk?" B: "Beg pardon, dear?" A: "Where is the reception desk?" Beg pardon? Oh, yes, the library is right this way, just down the hall.
3. An expression or exclamation of indignation or incredulous disbelief. A: "I'm afraid we're going to have to cut your funding, effective immediately." B: "Beg pardon? Who on earth decided that?" A: "Mom, it looks like they gave you a ticket." B: "Beg pardon? What for?" Beg pardon? I have every right to be here, sir—my father's the CEO!
4. Could you please give me your attention? Beg pardon, everyone, but I'd like to get tonight's proceedings underway. Beg pardon for a few announcements before we adjourn the meeting. After I'd said, "Beg pardon?" several times, I had to resort to banging a mug on the table—it was the only way I could get everyone to stop talking!
5. I believe you are mistaken or incorrect; I don't agree with you on that. A: "I just don't know that Timmy would be getting the education he deserves here." B: "Beg pardon, but I believe you'll find that our school is actually one of the best in the state, thank you very much!" Beg pardon, but you all are mad if you think this medical research no longer merits funding! A: "I just don't see the need to keep him." B: "Beg pardon? I know he's not a big hitter, but he's great defensively and wreaks havoc on the basepaths. Frankly, I think you'd be making a mistake to release him."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.