Definition

1. Verb:
   • To envy or resent someone for possessing or enjoying something: To feel discontent or ill will toward someone because of their advantages, possessions, or good fortune.
   • To give or allow something reluctantly or with resentment: To be unwilling to give, grant, or allow something, often due to a feeling that it is too much or undeserved.

Usage and Examples

• Expressing envy or resentment:

  • She did not begrudge her friend's success, but celebrated it. (She did not feel envy or resentment toward her friend's success.)
  • I begrudge him his carefree lifestyle. (I resent him for having a carefree lifestyle.)

• Giving or allowing reluctantly:

  • He begrudged every penny he had to spend on repairs. (He gave each penny for repairs with great reluctance and resentment.)
  • The manager begrudged giving them an extra day off. (The manager was very unwilling to allow them an extra day off.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Begrudge someone something": This is the most common construction, where the resentment is directed at a person for having something.

  • No one should begrudge you your happiness. (No one should resent you for being happy.)

• "Begrudge doing something": Used to express strong reluctance in performing an action.

  • I begrudge spending so much time on paperwork. (I do this paperwork with great reluctance and resentment.)

Variants and Related Words

• Begrudging (adjective): Given or done reluctantly or resentfully.

  • She gave a begrudging apology. (She apologized in a reluctant and resentful manner.)

• Begrudgingly (adverb): In a reluctant or resentful way.

  • He begrudgingly admitted his mistake. (He admitted his mistake with reluctance.)

Synonyms

• Envy: To desire something possessed by another.
• Resent: To feel bitterness or indignation at a circumstance, action, or person.
• Grudge: To be unwilling to give or allow something.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Don't begrudge him/her...": A common phrase advising against feeling resentment.

  • Don't begrudge her the promotion; she earned it. (Do not resent her for getting the promotion.)

• "To not begrudge someone something": Often used to state a lack of resentment, sometimes for emphasis.

  • I don't begrudge you the win; you played better. (I do not resent you for winning.)

Verb

1. wish ill or allow unwillingly
2. be envious of; set one's heart on