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differ

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beg to differ (with someone)

Fig. to disagree with someone; to state one's disagreement with someone in a polite way. (Usually used in a statement made to the person being disagreed with.) I beg to differ with you, but you have stated everything exactly backwards. If I may beg to differ, you have not expressed my position as well as you seem to think.

See also: beg, differ

differ from something

[for something] to be different from something else. No, this one differs from the one you saw because it has a bigger handle. How does this one differ from that one?

See also: differ

differ in something

[for people or things] to be different in a specific way or in specific ways. They differ only in the color of their eyes and the size of their shoes. They differ in size and shape.

See also: differ

differ (with someone) about something

 and differ (with someone) on something 

1. [for someone] to disagree with someone about something. I must differ with you about that. We differ about that. I don't differ with you on that point.

2. [for someone] to argue with someone about something. Tom was differing with Terry rather loudly about which one of them was going to carry the flag. Let's stop differing with each other on these simple things!

See also: differ

Tastes differ.

Prov. Different people like different things. Fred: Bill always goes out with such stupid girls. I can't understand why. Alan: Tastes differ.

See also: differ, Taste

beg to differ (with somebody)

(slightly formal) also beg to disagree (with somebody)

to have a different opinion Some people think losing that game brought the team together, but I beg to differ - the team has always been together. Many believe our planet is in danger, but I beg to disagree - it's not our planet but human existence that's in danger.

See also: beg, differ

I beg to differ/disagree

  (formal)

a polite way of saying that you disagree with something that someone has said I beg to differ with Mr Stahl's final assertion.

See also: beg, differ

beg to differ

Disagree with someone, as in John told me Max was sure to win, but I beg to differ-I don't think he has a chance. This courteous formula for expressing disagreement echoes similar uses of beg in the sense of "ask," such as I beg your pardon, so used since about 1600. Also see excuse me.

See also: beg, differ

differ from

v.

To have qualities that are not the same as those of something else: My results differed from the results of everyone else who conducted the experiment. Sopranos differ from altos in having higher voices.

See also: differ

beg to differ

To disagree in a polite manner.

See also: beg, differ