Expression of regret

Expression of regret

An expression of regret is a common gambit in politics and public relations, and a popular alternative to apologizing for something.

Expressions of regret are frequently motivated by the desire not to admit guilt or responsibility, whilst preserving a facade of good manners. For example, a politician who has been prosecuted for corruption may "express regret" at his prosecution. This remark is nearly meaningless, in that it deliberately makes it unclear whether he regrets his actions, or the folly of his prosecutors in accusing an innocent man, or merely his misfortune in getting caught in the act.

See also

* Non-apology apology
* Non-denial denial
* Mistakes were made

References


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  • regret — [ri gret′] vt. regretted, regretting [ME regretten < OFr regreter, to bewail the dead < re + Gmc base as in OE gretan, ON grata, Goth gretan, to weep] 1. to feel sorry about or mourn for (a person or thing gone, lost, etc.) 2. to feel… …   English World dictionary

  • regret — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun ADJECTIVE ▪ big, bitter, deep, genuine, great, profound, real, sincere ▪ Her biggest regret was that she had never had children …   Collocations dictionary

  • regret — [ r(ə)grɛ ] n. m. • 1530; faire regret de « manifester sa douleur à propos de » 1170; de regretter I ♦ État de conscience douloureux causé par la perte d un bien. Regret du pays natal. ⇒ nostalgie. « S attarder aux vains regrets du passé »… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • regret —     Faire regret ; cela fait regret ; c est une phrase insignifiante. On a du regret , on cause du regret ; mais on ne fait pas regret . Par cette derniere expression, on veut faire entendre que cela répugne , que cela fait mal au cœur …   Dictionnaire grammatical du mauvais langage

  • expression — ex|pres|sion W2S2 [ıkˈspreʃən] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(strong feelings/thoughts)¦ 2¦(on somebody s face)¦ 3¦(word/phrase)¦ 4¦(music/acting)¦ 5¦(mathematics)¦ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) ¦(STRONG FEELINGS/THOUGHTS)¦ [U and C] something you say, write, or do that shows what… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • expression — [[t]ɪkspre̱ʃ(ə)n[/t]] ♦♦♦ expressions 1) N VAR: usu N of n The expression of ideas or feelings is the showing of them through words, actions, or artistic activities. Laughter is one of the most infectious expressions of emotion... From Cairo came …   English dictionary

  • regret — v. & n. v.tr. (regretted, regretting) (often foll. by that + clause) 1 feel or express sorrow or repentance or distress over (an action or loss etc.) (I regret that I forgot; regretted your absence). 2 (often foll. by to + infin. or that +… …   Useful english dictionary

  • regret — I. verb (regretted; regretting) Etymology: Middle English regretten, from Anglo French regreter, from re + greter (perhaps of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse grāta to weep) more at greet Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to mourn the… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • regret — /rəˈgrɛt / (say ruh gret) verb (t) (regretted, regretting) 1. to feel sorry about (anything disappointing, unpleasant, etc.). 2. to think of with a sense of loss: to regret one s vanished youth. –noun 3. a sense of loss, disappointment,… …  

  • pardon the expression — (if you’ll) pardon/excuse/the expression spoken phrase used for saying you are sorry for using a slightly offensive word or phrase He was, if you’ll pardon the expression, pissed out of his mind. Thesaurus: ways of saying you are sorry or regret… …   Useful english dictionary

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