From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishI hate to say it, but .../I hate to tell you this, but ...but .../I hate to tell you this, but ... I hate to say itI hate to say it, but .../I hate to tell you this, but ...spokenSORRY/APOLOGIZE used when saying something that you do not want to say, for example because it is embarrassing I hate to say it, but I was glad when he went home. → hate
