beg for mercy

Meaning

Literally, this means to ask someone passionately not to punish or harm you. In modern daily life, it is often used figuratively, dramatically, or playfully—such as when your muscles are sore from a workout, or when playing a competitive game with friends.

Examples

• After doing one hundred squats, my legs were begging for mercy.

  After doing one hundred squats, my legs were begging for mercy.

• The villain in the movie refused to beg for mercy even when he was captured.

  The villain in the movie refused to beg for mercy even when he was captured.

• He jokingly begged for mercy when his older brother started tickling him.

  He jokingly begged for mercy when his older brother started tickling him.

• By the end of the grueling exam, all the students were practically begging for mercy.

  By the end of the grueling exam, all the students were practically begging for mercy.

• I won't beg for mercy; just tell me what my punishment is.

  I won't beg for mercy; just tell me what my punishment is.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He begged mercy from the judge.

  ✓ He begged for mercy from the judge.

  You must include the preposition 'for' when asking for mercy.

• ✗ My sore muscles were begging mercy.

  ✓ My sore muscles were begging for mercy.

  The figurative use of the expression also requires the preposition 'for'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• My personal trainer made me do so many lunges that my knees started to ___.

  💡 Playfully ask to stop because of physical strain.

  Show answer

  beg for mercy

• The captured soldier refused to ___ in front of his enemies.

  💡 Ask for pity or forgiveness.

  Show answer

  beg for mercy