wriggle out of
B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To sneak away from something you should do, like a worm slipping out of a hole.
Literal meaning: To escape from a small or tight space by twisting and turning your body like a worm.
Meanings
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."
Grammar: inseparable
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
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
responsibility commitment obligation promise deal blame
Forms
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
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