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no offense

Idioms  
  1. Please don't feel insulted, I don't mean to offend you, as in No offense, but I think you're mistaken. This expression, first recorded in 1829, generally accompanies a statement that could be regarded as insulting but is not meant to be, as in the example.


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:

I mean no offense to Bettany or Michael Sheen, who recently signed on to reprise the role for a West End production set for spring of 2027.

From Salon May 16, 2026

But no offense was intended with the Washington costume, Collins explained, noting that he was just there to “honor the King as our special guest.”

From Slate Apr. 28, 2026

"I get my news source from him, not from -- no offense -- but not from you or anyone else," White told AFP reporters at his official residence in Brussels.

From Barron's Apr. 21, 2026

“I mean, no offense, you probably couldn’t get the Vanderbilt game on in most bars across America.”

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 1, 2025

To be honest, I wasn’t a Kevin fan like that, no offense to Dad.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

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