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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

“I beg to differ that this is just Christian. But I have no qualms if it was,” Horton said during a committee hearing in April.

From Seattle Times ● May 30, 2024

These days, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid would beg to differ although it is still beyond doubt one of the most watched games in the world.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2023

They beg to differ with Mr. Neck’s learned opinion.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

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