beg off
Ask for release
To beg off is to ask to be excused from an obligation or invitation: I was supposed to help with the move, but I begged off at the last minute.
The phrase implies withdrawing from something already agreed to or expected, often with an apologetic tone.
She begged off the dinner party, claiming a headache.
Reject or garbage
- demurVoice formal disagreement
- turn downReject or reduce
- pass onTransmit to another
- opt outDecline to participate
say no · rebuff · reject · regret · send regrets · take a rain check · bow out · back out
Avoid by quick movement
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- shirkEvade one's obligations
- duckWaterbird that quacks
- evadeEscape by cunning
escape · skirt · get around · weasel out · cop out · shy away · steer clear · circumvent
Statement acknowledging wrongdoing
- explanationStatement making something clear
- pretextFabricated motive concealing truth
- alibiDefense of location
- justificationReason proving rightness
rationale · plea · reason · get out of · wriggle out of · exemption · dispensation · reprieve
With elegant kindness
- tactfullyWith careful discretion
- diplomaticallyWith political finesse
- courteouslyWith good manners
- respectfullyIn a deferential way
apologetically · regretfully · deferentially · considerately · delicately · gently · politely
refuse
Reject or garbage
opt out · say no · rebuff · reject · regret · send regrets · take a rain check · bow out · back out · pull out
dodge
Avoid by quick movement
evade · escape · skirt · get around · weasel out · cop out · shy away · steer clear · circumvent · elude
apology
Statement acknowledging wrongdoing
- explanationStatement making something clear
- pretextFabricated motive concealing truth
- alibiDefense of location
justification · rationale · plea · reason · get out of · wriggle out of · exemption · dispensation · reprieve · waiver
graciously
With elegant kindness
- tactfullyWith careful discretion
- diplomaticallyWith political finesse
- courteouslyWith good manners
respectfully · apologetically · regretfully · deferentially · considerately · delicately · gently · politely
beg offfollow through
Complete an intended action
show up · keep one's word · see it through · stick with it · come through
off, beg, begging, beggar, offset, begged, begs, offshoot, offload