if you'll pardon the expression

if you'll pardon the expression

A preemptive apology for the particular words one is about to use. He was acting like, if you'll pardon the expression, a complete ass.
See also: expression, if, pardon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

if you'll pardon the expression

Fig. excuse the expression I am about to say or just said. This thing is—if you'll pardon the expression—loused up. I'm really jacked, if you'll pardon the expression.
See also: expression, if, pardon
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

if you’ll pardon the expression

phr. excuse the expression I am about to say. This thing is—if you’ll pardon the expression—loused up. I’m really jacked, if you’ll pardon the expression.
See also: expression, if, pardon
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • sling
References in periodicals archive
They said the creatures may be inside because they have been hibernating and the male ladybird (if you'll pardon the expression) has popped out looking for a lady ladybird.
Peter said: "Mr Henry's tweet came completely out of the blue, if you'll pardon the expression.
And that brought up, if you'll pardon the expression, another subject.
Perhaps a well-placed kick with a working man's steel-toed safety shoe to the site of your "singular pleasure" might set you in the right, if you'll pardon the expression, direction.
Despite, if you'll pardon the expression, giant steps being taken to help us access public buildings and transport, there is still, as your story shows, a long way to go.
IT MAKES for sober reading, if you'll pardon the expression, but it seems that Wales is increasingly becoming a nation of boring stay-at-homes.
For instance, "romantic love" thrives on intimacy and passion, "fatuous love" features only passion and commitment, and "consummate love" encompasses all three prongs of affection, if you'll pardon the expression.
To my way of thinking, the public has (if you'll pardon the expression) embraced an issue which is in reality more of a non-issue.
As I recall, what's so attractive about the idea is that it would relieve you - if you'll pardon the expression, vicar - of the burden of performance.
Though tongue in cheek - if you'll pardon the expression - this far- fetched story turns graphically grisly, and it would be advisable not to watch on a full stomach.
There were two old faces, if you'll pardon the expression. Kathy Staff returned as Doris Luke who started out as a vegetable cook but has now risen to the dizzy heights of laundress.