pardon

Definition

  • noun: the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty
  • verb: to officially say that someone who is guilty of a crime will be allowed to go free and will not be punished
  • verb: to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime
  • usually used as '(be) pardoned for'
  • synonyms: indulgence

Examples

  • “He's been in Haiti for the past two months.” “'Beg pardon'? He's been in Hawaii?” “No, Haiti.”

  • She received a 'presidential/royal pardon'. [=a pardon from a president or a king or queen]

  • The group wants the debt of the world's poorest countries to be 'pardoned'. [='forgiven']

Movie quotes

  • (..) where you and I can own it all. Get rid of the surveillance. Erase it. Shut everything down. Anything you and Doug were up to. All right. But you have to pardon me first. And, at the right time, Doug. Or we could both go to prison. I killed Tom. I killed Tom Yates. He's dead. (..)
    2017 TvShow: House of Cards Title: Chapter 65 Season: 5 Episode 13
  • (..) Don't you see? I've designed this. I wanted you to be the president. I've made you the president. Am I supposed to say thank you? No. But you will have to pardon me. Pardon me for all of my crimes. As the president, you're the only one who can. Francis, I could be impeached if I do that. (..)
    2017 TvShow: House of Cards Title: Chapter 65 Season: 5 Episode 13