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

  • (..) I drink coffee. So, my goodness. This is a surprise. Such a lovely surprise. After all this time. - Yeah, what's up with that? - I beg your pardon? Well, were you always out of the picture, or just after Mom died? Oh, your grandfather and I were never out of the- I mean, we were always there. We- (..)
    2005 In Her Shoes