beg off

beg  (bg)

v. begged, beg·ging, begs

v.tr.

1. To ask for as charity: begged money while sitting in a doorway.

2. To ask earnestly for or of; entreat: begged me for help.

3.

a. To evade; dodge: a speech that begged the real issues.

b. To take for granted without proof: beg the point in a dispute.

v.intr.

1. To solicit alms.

2. To make a humble or urgent plea.

Phrasal Verb:

beg off

To ask to be released from something, such as an obligation: We were invited to stay for dinner, but we had to beg off.

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[Middle English beggen, possibly from Anglo-Norman begger, from Old French begart, lay brother, one who prays; see beggar.]

Synonyms: beg, crave, beseech, implore, entreat, importune
These verbs mean to make an earnest request. Beg and crave mean to ask in a serious and sometimes humble manner, especially for something one cannot claim as a right: I begged her to forgive me. The attorney craved the court's indulgence.
Beseech emphasizes earnestness and often implies anxiety: Be silent, we beseech you.
Implore intensifies the sense of urgency and anxiety: The child implored his father not to be angry.
Entreat pertains to persuasive pleading: "Ask me no questions, I entreat you" Charles Dickens.
Importune adds the sense of persistent and sometimes irksome pleading: The foundation was importuned by fundraisers. See Also Synonyms at cadge.

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

beg off - ask for permission to be released from an engagement excuse call for, request, bespeak, quest - express the need or desire for; ask for; "She requested an extra bed in her room"; "She called for room service"