budge

Everyday

1. To budge is to move a little, or to make something heavy or stuck move a little. tree →
2. To change your mind or opinion, or to make someone change theirs: «She won't budge». tree →
3. (informal) «Budge up» or «budge over» means move along to make space for someone. tree →

In the lessons

Usually in negative sentences: «it won't budge», «he wouldn't budge». In stories it shows stubborn things or people. In everyday life «budge up» is said on a bench or sofa (UK, Ireland, Australia). Phrases: «won't budge», «budge an inch», «budge up».

Examples

• The window is stuck and won't budge. tree →
• We pushed the car, but it didn't budge. tree →
• Mum would not budge: no sweets before dinner. tree →
• Budge up so Mia can sit on the bench. tree →
• The donkey refused to budge an inch. tree →
• Nothing could budge him from his opinion. tree →

Note

Mostly used with «not»: «it won't budge». Past: budged. Not the same as «budget» (a money plan) or «bulge» (swell out).