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'll fetch your waiter. Thank you. Check, sir. Fucking lamb vichyssoise, you little... Miss. Pardon me, miss. Oh, great. It's you. I don't know how this works, but do you have something for me? I, uh... I received this note... (..)
    1997 The Game
  • (..) We've finished processing your application. Look, I'm in a meeting right now. I'm afraid it was rejected. I beg your pardon? You shouldn't feel this reflects negatively on you. We hope we haven't caused you any inconvenience. Oh, this is ridiculous. Thank you for thinking of CRS. (..)
    1997 The Game