1 C1 idiomatic informal
To obtain secret or reluctant information from someone by persistent or indirect questioning.
"He finally wormed the truth out of her by pretending he already knew part of the story."
separable
worm out
C1 informal separable transitive
To extract information or a secret from someone by persistent, clever, or indirect questioning.
In plain English
To cleverly get someone to tell you something they didn't want to tell you.
What does "worm out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To manoeuvre oneself cleverly out of an obligation or difficult situation.
"He tried to worm out of the meeting by claiming he had a prior commitment."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move like a worm (slowly, winding) to extract something out of a person or place.
Actually means
To cleverly get someone to tell you something they didn't want to tell you.
Usage tip
Usually constructed as 'worm something out of someone'. The metaphor is of a worm's winding, indirect movement — you get the information by moving around the subject indirectly rather than asking directly. Often implies mild deception or persistence.
Words that pair with "worm out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
secret confession truth information details story
How to conjugate "worm out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
worm out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
worms out
he/she/it
Past simple
wormed out
yesterday
Past participle
wormed out
have + pp
-ing form
worming out
continuous
Hear "worm out" in the wild
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