begged to differ
Respectfully raised objections
Begged to differ is the past tense of beg to differ, a polite formula for expressing disagreement.
The phrase softens contradiction with mock humility—you're not insisting you're right, merely requesting permission to hold another view: She said the project was finished, but he begged to differ.
Often used with dry irony when the disagreement isn't mild at all.
- contradictDispute a statement
- argueVerbally oppose another's view
- respectfulShowing proper regard
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
- rebutDisprove by argument
take issue · dissent · tactful · respond · frown · snap · oppose · deferential · demur · retort · speak up · protest · articulate · diplomatic · refute · negotiate · challenge · glare
begged to differconcurred
Expressed agreement formally
saw eye to eye · agreed · seconded · assented · endorsed
begged to differsaid nothing
begged, begging, beggar, beggars, beggarly, differ, differs, differed, differing