begging off
Requesting an exemption
Begging off is declining an invitation or commitment, usually after having already agreed to it.
The phrase implies asking to be excused rather than flatly refusing: She begged off dinner, claiming a headache.
It suggests a polite withdrawal with some excuse offered, however thin.
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- making excusesOffering justifications for shortcomings
- prior commitmentPre-existing obligation
- sighAudible emotional breath
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
politeness · refusal · not feeling it · self-preservation · personal boundaries · deferment · withdrawal · rationale · opt out · reasoning · tact · self-respect · bow out · raincheck · autonomy · justification · diplomacy · graceful exit
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
- Excusingjustifying, forgiving, pardoning, condoning, rationalizing
begging offsigning up
Formally agreeing to join
committing · accepting · agreeing · opting in · saying yes
begging offjumping at
Accepting with enthusiasm
jumping in · diving in · embracing · welcoming · showing up
begging offleaping at
Jumping suddenly toward
welcoming · angling for · chomping at the bit · raring to go