ENGLISH
REFERENCE

beg to differ

idiom
Meaning

To offer an opposing opinion humbly.

Origin

disputed origin

From beg (“to plead with someone for help”) + to + differ.

Examples
SIMPLE

I beg to differ with your opinion on that movie.

CONTEXTUAL

While my boss thinks the new project is perfect, I beg to differ and suggest a few changes.

COMPLEX

Although the committee reached a consensus, the lead researcher felt compelled to beg to differ, citing several flaws in their methodology.

Anchors to
Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    beg for one's life

    To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.

  2. 02

    beg off

    To obtain somebody's permission to skip or cancel an event that one has previously arranged with them.

  3. 03

    good voice to beg bacon

    An unpleasant-sounding voice.

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