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worm out of

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worm something out of someone

to draw or manipulate information out of someone. I managed to worm the name of the doctor out of her before she ran off. You can't worm the names out of me!

See also: of, out, worm

worm out of

Elicit or make one's way by artful or devious means. For example, He tried to worm the answer out of her, or She can't worm out of this situation. This expression alludes to the sinuous passage of a worm. [Early 1700s]

See also: of, out, worm

worm out of

v.

1. To elicit something from someone by artful or devious means: The clever police officers wormed a confession out of the suspect.

2. To extricate oneself from some situation by artful or devious means: You can't worm out of this situation, so don't even try.

See also: of, out, worm