| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| beg off |
ask to be excused from duty, get out of a task
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Some people volunteer to work and then they beg off.
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| beg to differ |
have a different opinion, disagree with
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When I stated the cause of the loss, he said, "I beg to differ."
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| beg your pardon |
excuse me, please do not be offended
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I beg your pardon, but I am using this phone booth.
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| beg your pardon |
what did you say? will you repeat what you said?
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Beg your pardon? Did you say you are Paul Newman?
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| beggars can't be choosers |
people who receive free things should not expect the best
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When they complained about the shabby coats, he said, "Beggars can't be choosers."
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| begs the question |
suggests this question, leaves this question unanswered
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"That's a fine idea," said the Head Mouse, "but it begs the question: Which one of us will put the bell on the cat?"
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| behind bars |
in jail, in prison, in the slammer
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Behind bars, she didn't have much of a social life.
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| behind the curve |
having lower than average test scores, having a low performance
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I was behind the curve when I wrote that test. I'll probably get a low grade.
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| the bell curve - a line graph of test scores
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| behind the eight ball |
in a difficult position, in a predicament, between the devil and...
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I'm behind the eight ball with the Tax Department. I deducted college tuition fees from my taxable income, but I didn't pay the fees!
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| behind the scenes |
out of sight, unnoticed, unsung hero
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This organization has many people who work behind the scenes helping us to succeed.
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