beg to differ

Idioms

Disagree with someone, as in John told me Max was sure to win, but I beg to differ—I don't think he has a chance. This courteous formula for expressing disagreement echoes similar uses of beg in the sense of “ask,” such as I beg your pardon, so used since about 1600. Also see excuse me.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

beg to differ

However, Kevin Muir, the institutional trader turned blogger, would beg to differ.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 17, 2026

I beg to differ here: The trial was conducted with full transparency, closely witnessed by citizens, the media and foreign consular officials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026

Some book purists beg to differ with Fennell’s interpretation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2026

McIlroy, having won at Pebble Beach and last month's Players, should certainly beg to differ on that seemingly mischievous assertion.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2025

"I beg to differ," the brother with the pipe said.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023