1 B1 neutral
To escape from a tight or confined space by twisting and squirming.
"The cat managed to wriggle out of the narrow gap between the fence posts."
inseparable
wriggle out of
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To cleverly or dishonestly avoid a responsibility, task, or difficult situation.
In plain English
To sneak away from something you should do, like a worm slipping out of a hole.
What does "wriggle out of" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To avoid a duty, obligation, or unpleasant situation through clever or sneaky means.
"He always finds a way to wriggle out of doing the dishes."
“
Lawyers are paid to wriggle out of contracts on their clients' behalf.
— The Guardian, 2014
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To escape from a small or tight space by twisting and turning your body like a worm.
Actually means
To sneak away from something you should do, like a worm slipping out of a hole.
Usage tip
Usually carries a negative or disapproving tone, suggesting the person is being slippery or dishonest. Common in British English. Also used literally to describe physically squeezing out of a tight space.
Words that pair with "wriggle out of"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
responsibility commitment obligation promise deal blame
How to conjugate "wriggle out of"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wriggle out of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wriggles out of
he/she/it
Past simple
wriggled out of
yesterday
Past participle
wriggled out of
have + pp
-ing form
wriggling out of
continuous
Hear "wriggle out of" in the wild
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