From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishowe somebody an explanation/apologyowe somebody an explanation/apologySORRY/APOLOGIZEto feel that you should give someone an explanation of why you did something, or say you are sorry You owe him an apology. → owe
Examples from the Corpus
owe somebody an explanation/apology• At the same time I felt I was owed an explanation.• I guess I owe her an apology.• I think these people who said those hateful things about him owe him an apology.• In light of this, do you feel you owe the world an apology?• Of course, a decision not to have children is a legitimate choice, and whoever makes it owes no explanation.• You owe him an apology for misjudging him and suspecting his motives at every turn.• At the very least a clear case is owed a clear explanation if it is rejected.• I think you owe an apology to Clegg. 