beg off

Etymology
beg + off

Verb

 * 1)  To obtain somebody's permission to skip or cancel an event that one has previously arranged with them.
 * I wonder if I can beg off going to the meeting that day, since it will take me an extra two hours out of my way.
 * I wonder if I can beg off going to the meeting that day, since it will take me an extra two hours out of my way.