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.

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Influencer and wrestler Logan Paul thinks so, but many financial pros beg to differ.

From MarketWatch

In this homage to Y2K club music, Amaarae and PinkPantheress beg to differ.

From Los Angeles Times

His critics might beg to differ.

From BBC

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