if I may be so bold

English

Alternative forms

• if I might be so bold
• if I may make so bold

Phrase

if I may be so bold (as to)

1. (formal) Used to soften a statement or question that is expected to annoy the listener.

See also

• if I may say so
• if I do say so myself

References

• “if I may be so bold” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.
• “if I might be so bold” (US) / “if I might be so bold” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.
• “if I may be make so bold as to”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.
• “be make so bold”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.