I beg your pardon
phrase
A polite way to ask someone to repeat what they just said.
I beg your pardon, could you please repeat that?
Often appears as...
- i'm sorry
- i beg your pardon
Usage tips
Formal
phrase
Used to show that you are strongly disagreeing or angry.
I beg your pardon, sir, but I think you are mistaken
Often appears as...
- i beg your pardon!
- i beg your pardon
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
phrase
Used when someone has said something surprising or shocking.
You're leaving the company? I beg your pardon!
Often appears as...
- i beg your pardon!
- you're doing what
phrase
Used as a way of apologizing.
I beg your pardon for my lateness
Often appears as...
- i beg your pardon for...
- i beg your pardon
Usage tips
Formal
phrase
A polite way to ask someone to repeat what they just said.
I beg your pardon, could you please repeat that?
Often appears as...
- i'm sorry
- i beg your pardon
Usage tips
Formal
phrase
Used to show that you are strongly disagreeing or angry.
I beg your pardon, sir, but I think you are mistaken
Often appears as...
- i beg your pardon!
- i beg your pardon
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
phrase
Used when someone has said something surprising or shocking.
You're leaving the company? I beg your pardon!
Often appears as...
- i beg your pardon!
- you're doing what
phrase
Used as a way of apologizing.
I beg your pardon for my lateness
Often appears as...
- i beg your pardon for...
- i beg your pardon
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Request Clarity
Use it to clearly ask for repetition without sounding rude when you didn't understand someone.
I beg your pardon, could you speak a bit louder?
Pro Tip 2/2Noise Interruption
Especially useful in noisy environments where you have trouble hearing others.
With the music so loud, I kept saying, 'I beg your pardon?' to my friends.
Pro Tip 1/2Request Clarity
Use it to clearly ask for repetition without sounding rude when you didn't understand someone.
I beg your pardon, could you speak a bit louder?
Pro Tip 2/2Noise Interruption
Especially useful in noisy environments where you have trouble hearing others.
With the music so loud, I kept saying, 'I beg your pardon?' to my friends.
Pro Tip 1/2Request Clarity
Use it to clearly ask for repetition without sounding rude when you didn't understand someone.
I beg your pardon, could you speak a bit louder?
Pro Tip 2/2Noise Interruption
Especially useful in noisy environments where you have trouble hearing others.
With the music so loud, I kept saying, 'I beg your pardon?' to my friends.
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