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beg off

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beg off (on something)

to ask to be released from something; to refuse an invitation. I'm sorry, but I'll be out of town on the day of your party. I'll have to beg off on your invitation. I have an important meeting, so I'll have to beg off.

See also: beg, off

beg something off

to decline an invitation politely. She begged the trip to the zoo off. We all begged off the dinner invitation.

See also: beg, off

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.

See also: beg, off

beg off

Ask to be released from an obligation; turn down an invitation. For example, He's asked me out to dinner three times already, but I have to beg off again, or Mother couldn't take on another committee and so she begged off. [Early 1700s]

See also: beg, off

beg off

v.

To excuse oneself from something, such as an obligation: We were invited to stay for dinner, but we had to beg off.

See also: beg, off