with all due respect

Idioms

Although I think highly of you, as in With all due respect, you haven't really answered my question, or With all due respect, that account doesn't fit the facts. This phrase always precedes a polite disagreement with what a person has said or brings up a controversial point. [c. 1800]

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.

This Valentine’s Day, with all due respect to Elvis Presley and Etta James, consider dedicating an unorthodox song of your own to your beloved.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

But, and I ask this with all due respect, is it too late to give this sequel a more clever title?

From Salon • Jan. 4, 2026

But the biggest learning curve for England from the Ashes and Lewis' era is that winning bilateral series, with all due respect to the opposition, do not count for much.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2025

Eilish’s song is arresting and finely crafted; with all due respect to Warren, I think it’s the most worthy winner.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2024

“William, with all due respect, if we could wait until Elle has finished, we will be able to answer your questions,” she said.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

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