beg
[verb]
Synonyms:
- scrounge, cadge, seek charity, solicit charity, sponge on, touch (someone) for (slang)
- implore, beseech, entreat, petition, plead, request, solicit

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Contrasted words: hint, intimate, suggest
Related Idioms: throw oneself at the feet of (or on the mercy of)
Related Words: ask, call (on), request, solicit, petition, sue, besiege, demand, press, nag, worry

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

beg /beɡ/ verb (past tense and past participle begged, present participle begging)
[Date: 1200-1300; Origin: Probably from Old English bedecian]

1. ASK [intransitive and transitive] to ask for something in an anxious or urgent way, because you want it very much:
She begged and pleaded with them until they finally agreed.
She fought back the sudden urge to run to him and beg his forgiveness.
beg to do something
The children begged to come with us.
beg somebody to do something
I begged Helen to stay, but she wouldn’t listen.
beg (somebody) for something
She ran to the nearest house and begged for help.
We could hear the prisoners begging for mercy.
I beg of you formal (=please)
Listen, I beg of you.
beg leave to do something formal (=ask permission to do something)

2. MONEY/FOOD [intransitive and transitive] to ask people to give you food, money etc, usually because you are very poor
beg (something) from somebody
a ragged child begging from passing shoppers
beg for
The old man went from door to door begging for food.
a begging letter (=a letter asking for money)

3. ANIMAL [intransitive] if a dog begs, it sits up with its front legs off the ground

4. I beg your pardon spoken
a) used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said:
‘The meeting’s on Wednesday.’ ‘I beg your pardon?’ ‘I said the meeting’s on Wednesday.’
b) used to say sorry when you have made a mistake, or said something wrong or embarrassing:
Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought you said 15 pence, not 50.
c) used to show that you strongly disagree with something that someone has said, or think it is unacceptable:
‘Chicago’s an awful place.’ ‘I beg your pardon, that’s where I’m from!’

5. I beg to differ spoken formal used to say firmly that you do not agree with something that has been said:
I must beg to differ on this point.

6. beg the question
a) to make you want to ask a question that has not yet been answered
beg the question of
This proposal begs the question of who is going to pay for the new building.
b) to treat an idea as though it were true or had been proved, when this may not be the case

7. be going begging British English spoken if something is going begging, it is available for anyone who wants it:
There’s a beer going begging, if anyone’s interested.

8. beg, borrow, or steal to do whatever you must in order to get what you want – often used humorously:
She’d beg, borrow, or steal the money for those shoes.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

beg
verb
I. ask sb for food, money, etc.
VERB + BEG be forced to, have to
PREP. for begging for food
from He had to beg food from passers-by.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

beg
II. ask for sth with great emotion
ADV. almost, practically In the end they almost begged him to take the job.
humbly We humbly beg Your Majesty to show mercy.
silently Don't leave me, he begged her silently.
VERB + BEG be forced to, have to
PREP. for We went to him to beg for forgiveness.
of (formal) Do not do that, I beg of you.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

beg
verb
1.
BAD: I beg you to send me the information as soon as possible.
GOOD: I should be grateful if you would send me the information as soon as possible.

Usage Note:
When beg means 'ask someone to do something', it is nearly always used as a reporting verb. Compare: 'Please forgive me.' 'He begged her to forgive him.'
To make a request in a formal letter, use I/we should/would be grateful if ... (NOT I/we beg you ... ): 'I would be grateful if you could raise this question at the next meeting.'

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2.
See PARDON 1 (pardon)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

beg
beɡ
See: begging

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

BEG
Big Evil Grin

[TahlilGaran] Acronyms and Abbreviations Dictionary ▲