# beg off

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/beg-off
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to politely ask to be excused from a plan or a job you said you would do. You use this when you cannot attend and want to be nice about it.

For teachers: To request release from an obligation, invitation, or previous commitment. The verb functions primarily as an intransitive unit, though it may take a direct object representing the commitment or a prepositional phrase starting with 'from'.

## Examples

- I had to beg off from the dinner because I was tired.
- She was supposed to help us move this weekend, but she begged off at the last minute, saying she had too much work.
- The diplomat was forced to beg off from the gala, as the escalating crisis required his immediate and undivided attention at the embassy.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I begged off to the meeting." but "I begged off from the meeting." — Learners often use 'to' because they associate the phrase with 'saying no to' something, but 'from' is the standard preposition.

## Usage notes

- Usually used when you want to be polite about breaking a plan.
- Teaching tip: This is a useful alternative to 'cancel' when the speaker wants to sound more apologetic or social.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.