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wriggle

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wriggle off the hook

To avoid having to do something, likened to a fish escaping from the hook of a fishing rod. My mom wanted me to help her clean out the garage this weekend, but I was able to wriggle off the hook, thanks to my away basketball game.

See also: hook, off, wriggle

get a wriggle on

To go faster. Those guys better get a wriggle on or we'll be moving boxes all day! I know we have to leave soon, so I'm getting a wriggle on!

See also: get, on, wriggle

wriggle in(to something)

to wiggle and squeeze into something or some place. You will never be able to wriggle into that swimming suit. I can just wriggle in!

See also: wriggle

wriggle out

 (of something)

1. . Lit. to wiggle and squeeze out of something or some place. She wriggled out of her tight skirt and changed into something more comfortable. The skirt was so tight, she had to wriggle out. She couldn't pull it off.

2. . Fig. to get out of having to do something; to evade a responsibility. Don't try to wriggle out of this. I won't let you wriggle out this time.

See also: out, wriggle

wriggle out

v.

1. To free oneself from something by turning or twisting the body with sinuous writhing motions: I tried to pick up the cat, but it wriggled out of my grasp and ran away.

2. To extricate oneself by sly or subtle means from some situation; worm one's way out of some situation: He always wriggles out of trouble by placing the blame on someone else.

See also: out, wriggle