i beg your pardon? — a polite way of asking someone to repeat what they said because you didn't hear or understand
Part of speech: INTERJECTION
Definition: a polite way of asking someone to repeat what they said because you didn't hear or understand
Pronunciation (IPA): /aɪ beg jʊr ˈpɑːrdən/
Example Sentences
- I beg your pardon? Did you just say my cooking tastes like cardboard?
- I beg your pardon, I didn't catch your name.
- I beg your pardon? You want me to work on Christmas? Are you serious?
i beg your pardon?
INTERJECTION[/aɪ beg jʊr ˈpɑːrdən/]
a polite way of asking someone to repeat what they said because you didn't hear or understand
a polite way of asking someone to repeat what they said because you didn't hear or understand
I beg your pardon, warden? Did you say garden?
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This polite phrase originated in Middle English, combining 'beg' (from Old English and Germanic roots meaning 'to request earnestly') with 'pardon' (from Old French pardoner, meaning 'to forgive'). The expression developed as a courteous formula for apologizing or requesting someone to repeat themselves.
Breakdown
beg (to request earnestly) + your (possessive pronoun, second person) + pardon (forgiveness, from Old French par- + -don, meaning 'to give fully').
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I beg your pardon? Did you just say my cooking tastes like cardboard?”
“I beg your pardon, I didn't catch your name.”
“I beg your pardon? You want me to work on Christmas? Are you serious?”
“I beg your pardon, could you speak a little louder?”
📚Related Words
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