beg
 /ˈbɛg/  verb  , begs, begged, beg·ging
  1 : to ask people for money or food
   [  no obj  ] A homeless man begs on that corner every day.
    children begging for food
   [  + obj  ] children begging strangers for food
    children begging food from strangers
  2 a : to ask (someone) in a very serious and emotional way for something needed or wanted very much
   [  + obj  ] He begged the doctor for medicine.
    He begged her for forgiveness. = He begged her to forgive him.
    She begged him to read the story again.
    I beg you to help them! = Help them, I beg you!
    “Help them!” I begged.
   [  no obj  ]
    — + of
    (formal) I beg of you to help them!
   
  2 b : to ask for (something needed or wanted very much) in a very serious and emotional way
   [  + obj  ] He got down on his knees and begged forgiveness. = He got down on his knees and begged to be forgiven.
    He begged that she would forgive him.
    begging a favor of someone
   [  no obj  ] He's too proud to beg.
    He begged for forgiveness.
  3 [  no obj  ] of a dog : to sit up on the back legs with the front legs raised
   “Does your dog know any tricks?” “She knows how to beg.”
  4 [  + obj  ] of a thing : to seem perfect for some purpose : to be very well suited for something
  — followed by to + verb
   I couldn't resist cutting some of the flowers. They were just begging to be made into a bouquet.
   a scene begging to be photographed [=a scene that should be photographed]
  beg, borrow, or/and steal
    informal   : to do whatever is necessary to get something that is wanted or needed
    We'll have to beg, borrow, or steal the extra chairs we need for the party.
  beg leave
    formal + old-fashioned   : to ask for permission
    — followed by to + verb
    We beg leave to offer our humble thanks.
    I beg leave to differ with you, sir.
   
  beg off [  phrasal verb  ]
     informal   : to say that you cannot do something that you have been asked to do or have agreed to do
    He originally said he'd go to the party, but he later begged off (going), claiming he had to work that night.
  beg the question
   1 : to cause someone to ask a specified question as a reaction or response
    The quarterback's injury begs the question of who will start in his place.
    The tragic drowning begs the question: why are there no safe places in the area for children to swim?
   2 formal : to ignore a question or issue by assuming it has been answered or settled
    Their proposed solution begs the question of whether the changes in the town are actually a problem.
  beg to differ
   : to politely disagree with someone
    You say that the candidates are essentially the same, but I beg to differ. [=I do not agree]
  beg your pardon
   ◇ The phrase I beg your pardon is used in polite speech to apologize when you have done something impolite or when you have made a mistake.
    I beg your pardon. [=sorry, excuse me] I didn't mean to bump into you like that.
    I beg your pardon. You're correct; the amount is 12 dollars.
    It can be used to show that you are annoyed or offended by something that another person has said.
    “That boy isn't very bright.” “I beg your pardon! That's my son!”
    It can also be used as a question when you have not heard or understood something clearly.
    I beg your pardon [=excuse me, sorry]? What did you say?
    The shorter form beg pardon is also used informally this way.
    “He's been in Haiti for the past two months.” “Beg pardon? He's been in Hawaii?” “No, Haiti.”
   
  go begging
    chiefly Brit   : to be something that few or no people want
    With the poor economy, many expensive restaurants now have tables that go begging. [=tables that are empty because there are no customers]
    If that last biscuit's (still) going begging, can I have it, please?