what does "I beg your pardon" mean?

[Lilia]

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #64 "How to apologize", question 6

I must ......... your pardon, I mistook you for somebody else.

(a) bid
(b) bide
(c) beggar
(d) beg

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #64 "How to apologize", answer 6

I must beg your pardon, I mistook you for somebody else.

Correct answer: (d) beg

Your answer was: correct
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explain what I beg your pardon means?

Lilia

[Alan]

Hi,

This means literally: I ask for your forgiveness - in other words, I am sorry.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Womens' Day