Showing results for beg to differ. Search instead for to differ.

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.

Defendants in the United States can be tried at both the state and federal level for the same crime, although the charges tend to differ.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

Sitting next to Carr, Faith begged to differ, smiling as she wags her finger at the camera.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

But as for Donut Lab’s claims of being first, the world’s biggest battery maker begs to differ.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Dr. Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, begged to differ.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

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