"Beg off" is a phrasal verb primarily used in informal contexts, and its usage in formal writing or speech is relatively rare. It typically means to request to be excused from an obligation or to decline an invitation, often due to personal reasons or a last-minute change of plans. For example, someone might say, "I had to beg off attending the meeting because I was feeling unwell." This expression is often encountered in casual conversations or in written works aiming for a conversational tone, such as novels or informal articles. Despite its informal nature, it conveys a polite sense of asking not to participate or withdraw from something previously agreed upon, highlighting the speaker's predicament or preference in a gentle manner.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To ask to be excused from doing something or to avoid an obligation.
I had to beg off the meeting because I wasn't feeling well.
She begged off the party, saying she had too much work to do.
He begged off helping with the project, claiming he was too busy.