1 B2 idiomatic informal
To escape from a responsibility or obligation through clever or evasive behaviour.
"He tried every excuse he could think of to wiggle out of attending the family dinner."
inseparable
wiggle out of
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To avoid a responsibility, commitment, or difficult situation through clever or cunning manoeuvring.
In plain English
To escape from something you're supposed to do by being sneaky or clever.
What does "wiggle out of" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To physically extract oneself from a tight or restrictive space by wriggling.
"The child managed to wiggle out of the safety harness without anyone noticing."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To escape a tight physical space by moving the body in a wriggling, side-to-side motion.
Actually means
To escape from something you're supposed to do by being sneaky or clever.
Usage tip
Implies some degree of dishonesty or manipulation, though can be used lightly. Common in everyday speech. Very similar to 'wriggle out of', which is preferred in British English.
Words that pair with "wiggle out of"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
responsibility commitment deal promise obligation contract
How to conjugate "wiggle out of"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wiggle out of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wiggles out of
he/she/it
Past simple
wiggled out of
yesterday
Past participle
wiggled out of
have + pp
-ing form
wiggling out of
continuous
Hear "wiggle out of" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "wiggle out of" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "wiggle out of"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.