demand an apology

Meaning

To insist strongly and firmly that someone says they are sorry for a mistake, insult, or wrongdoing. This expression is used when someone feels highly offended or wronged and believes they are absolutely entitled to a formal regret. It carries a serious, firm, and sometimes angry tone.

Examples

• After he insulted her in front of the team, she decided to demand an apology.

  After he insulted her in front of the team, she decided to demand an apology.

• The angry customers began to demand an apology from the company's CEO.

  The angry customers began to demand an apology from the company's CEO.

• I don't just want an explanation; I demand an apology for how I was treated.

  I don't just want an explanation; I demand an apology for how I was treated.

• The diplomat threatened to leave the meeting if they didn't demand an apology.

  The diplomat threatened to leave the meeting if they didn't demand an apology.

• You have every right to demand an apology after he lied to you like that.

  You have every right to demand an apology after he lied to you like that.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She demanded for an apology from him.

  ✓ She demanded an apology from him.

  'Demand' is a transitive verb here and does not take the preposition 'for' when followed by a noun phrase.

• ✗ I demand to apologize me.

  ✓ I demand an apology.

  'Demand to apologize' means you want to say sorry yourself, whereas 'demand an apology' means you want someone else to say sorry to you.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If a coworker speaks to you rudely, you have the right to ___.

  💡 Insist that they say they are sorry.

  Show answer

  demand an apology

• The public started to ___ after the politician made those offensive remarks.

  💡 Strongly ask for a public statement of regret.

  Show answer

  demand an apology