wriggle

Everyday

1. To wriggle means to twist and turn your body quickly from side to side: "the worm wriggled in my hand". tree →
2. To wriggle into or out of something means to get into or out of it by twisting: "he wriggled into his wetsuit". tree →
3. To wriggle out of something means to avoid doing it by being clever or making excuses. tree →
4. (noun) A wriggle is a twisting movement. tree →

In the lessons

In science, worms, snakes, tadpoles and fish wriggle to move. In stories, children wriggle on carpets or in their seats when bored, and a sly character wriggles out of trouble. Phrases: wriggle out of, wriggle free, wriggle about, wriggle room.

Examples

• The worm wriggled across the path. tree →
• Stop wriggling and sit still! tree →
• The puppy wriggled out of my arms. tree →
• She wriggled into her tight jeans. tree →
• He tried to wriggle out of doing the dishes. tree →
• The tadpoles wriggled in the pond. tree →
• The rope was loose, so the prisoner wriggled free. tree →

Note

Past: wriggled. The w is silent: "RIG-ul". Wiggle (move side to side, often playfully) is very close in meaning; squirm is a wriggle from discomfort or shame.