with all due respect
Courteous preface to dissent
With all due respect is a phrase that signals disagreement while maintaining politeness—or at least the appearance of it.
The expression acknowledges someone's status or expertise before contradicting them: With all due respect, Senator, that's simply not true.
In practice, the phrase often functions as a warning that criticism is coming, and can sound insincere or passive-aggressive.
The "due" suggests only the respect that's actually owed—which the speaker may consider minimal.
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- beg to differPolitely express disagreement
- euphemismMild substitute for bluntness
- softenerAgent that reduces hardness
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
tact · decorum · hedge · qualifier · objection · speaking frankly · framing device · indirectness · preface · diplomatic language · face-saving · saving face · authority · pulling rank · mitigation · power dynamics · conflict resolution · etiquette
- conversational hedgesjust saying, to be honest, frankly, honestly, truth be told
- condescensionpatronizing, belittling, talking down, talk down, superiority
- diplomatic languageno comment, at this time, in good faith, mutual understanding, regrettably
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- excusesexcuse, not my fault, overslept, alibi, excuses
- white liesfine thanks, happy to help, my pleasure, no trouble, love it
with all due respectfrankly
Without concealment or evasion
bluntly · straight up · cutting to the chase · no offense but
respect, respects, respected, respecting, respectful, respectfully, disrespect, disrespectful, respective