beg off

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to ask to be released from an engagement, obligation, etc

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

So I think we shouldn't beg off the responsibility to understand it.

From Salon

Convention planners wanted him to kick off Monday night’s prime time programming, but the governor begged off.

From Los Angeles Times

When the jury asked two pointed questions Wednesday afternoon about two key pieces of evidence in the case, Brinkema begged off providing a substantive answer.

From Seattle Times

Lots of my good colleagues begged off signing this petition, admitting to men that they were afraid of potential reprisals, both professional and personal.

From Salon

Four years ago, using a walker after being temporarily paralyzed by Guillain-Barré syndrome, Murray begged off meeting me until he could recuperate.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• abandon 
• admit 
• back off 
• back out 
• backtrack 
• balk 
• cancel 
• cave in 
• concede 
• give in 
• give up 
• pull back 
• pull out 
• renege 
• retreat 
• surrender 
• take back 
• withdraw