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

  • (..) l'd be able to walk with my behind. Because the whole time he kept doing that l just kept... (deep voice) ''Can you sit up?'' ''l'm sorry, l beg your pardon.'' Now the dentist pulls out a needle. This is to deaden the pain. Says, ''Open up.'' Now, a regular doctor giving you a shot would go: (..)
    1983 Bill Cosby: Himself
  • (..) You know, and you're looking at your shoe and they're going: And they hum a lot when they... ''Hum, how you been?'' You say, ''Fine.'' ''Hum, nice to see you again. Hum, oh, pardon me, hum.'' You know, very smooth people, you know. So then, of course, the obvious one is the wino, but see, (..)
    1983 Bill Cosby: Himself