Beg Meaning

UK /bɛɡ/
US /bɛɡ/
Word Definition
beg meaning

Beg Definition & Usage

verb

To ask for something in a very urgent or desperate manner, often with a sense of humility or vulnerability.

Examples

  • "She had to beg for a second chance after making a huge mistake."
  • "He begged for forgiveness, his voice trembling with emotion."
  • "The children begged their parents for a trip to the amusement park."
  • "They were forced to beg for food after the storm wiped out their crops."
  • "I had to beg my boss to give me an extension on the project deadline."
verb

To solicit or ask for money or help from others, typically in a public or informal setting, sometimes as a form of panhandling.

Examples

  • "The homeless man was begging for spare change on the corner of the street."
  • "She saw a group of people begging outside the train station."
  • "He had to beg for his next meal after losing his job."
  • "She could see the woman begging for food at the entrance of the market."
  • "Despite his pride, he had to beg for assistance from his relatives."
verb

To want something very badly or to plead for it strongly, not necessarily in a literal or physical way.

Examples

  • "He begged for the opportunity to prove himself."
  • "She begged to be allowed to stay an extra hour at the party."
  • "They begged for their favorite singer to come back on stage for an encore."
  • "The students begged for a snow day after the heavy storm."
  • "He begged her not to leave him, his voice full of emotion."

Cultural Context

The word 'beg' originates from Old English 'beggan', which has the same meaning as the modern usage. Over time, it has evolved in its connotations, from a simple request for help to often implying desperation or a loss of dignity. It is a common verb in both formal and informal contexts, though it can carry a negative stigma when associated with begging for money in public.

The Last Hope

Story

The Last Hope

On a cold winter's day, Anna sat huddled on a bench in the crowded city square. Her coat was thin, and the frigid air cut through her clothes like a knife. She had been begging for warmth, for food, for some sign of hope. For days, she had walked the streets, her pockets empty and her stomach empty. The little money she managed to collect wasn’t enough for a meal, let alone a place to stay. Yet, she refused to give up. 'Please,' she whispered as she saw an elderly woman passing by. 'Could you spare something to eat?' The woman paused, looking at Anna with a mix of sympathy and hesitation. Anna had begged before, but this time, she felt more vulnerable than ever. She watched as the woman slowly reached into her bag, pulling out a warm sandwich wrapped in foil. 'Here,' she said softly. 'This is all I have.' Anna’s eyes welled up with tears. 'Thank you,' she whispered, barely able to choke out the words. 'You’ve given me hope.' Later that evening, as Anna walked home, she thought about the countless times she had begged for help and how the kindness of strangers still gave her the strength to carry on. There were moments when begging felt like an act of desperation, an admission of defeat. But in that moment, it felt like a lifeline—something small but meaningful. It reminded her that, even in the harshest of times, there was still compassion in the world. Anna knew she had a long road ahead of her, but she wasn’t giving up. She would continue to ask for what she needed, and perhaps, one day, she would be the one offering help to others. As the sun set and the city lights flickered on, Anna found herself silently begging for a better future. And for the first time in a long time, she believed it was within reach.

The Last Hope