budge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "budge" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a slight movement or change in position, often in the context of persuading someone to change their mind or position on an issue. Example: "Despite my best efforts to convince him, he wouldn't budge on his decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A "really long tube slide" was the element over which she refused to budge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it has refused to budge on two "red-line" demands – for pension cuts and looser rules on hiring and firing – and hopes of reaching an agreement in time for a meeting of the finance ministers on Monday have gradually seeped away.

The Guardian - Business

Amanda wouldn't budge on the key issues agreed that day, except that I was allowed to bring in Mel Price, who runs Ideal World's camera department.

The Guardian

Certainly not Collingwood, who wouldn't budge from an incentive-based deal.

The Guardian - Sport

Trident's role when the main threat, according to the government, is extreme Islamist-based terrorism, needs to be debated again - before the general election, even though, judging from Tuesday's debate, Tory and Labour front benches are in no mood to budge.

The Guardian

When the country wouldn't budge, Pacific Rim sued.

The Guardian

It has steadfastly refused to budge on any of the protesters' core demands.

The Guardian

She is pushing, but the baby is agonisingly lodged in the birthing canal and won't budge.

The Guardian

Israel is however refusing to budge on a final critical issue – the Palestinian demand to suspend Israeli teams based in the occupied territories.

The Guardian

But participation rates seem stubbornly reluctant to budge.

The Guardian

Of those refusing to budge, many are unhappy with the terms of resettlement, including 65-year-old Zhi Wenyi, who lives with his 95-year-old mother-in-law in a dilapidated courtyard house nearby.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "budge" in the context of opinions or negotiations, clearly indicate what the subject is refusing to change their mind about.

Common error

Avoid using "budge" to describe large-scale changes or significant shifts in strategy. "Budge" implies a small movement or a reluctance to move at all.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "budge" is as a verb, indicating either physical movement (or lack thereof) or a shift (or refusal to shift) in opinion or position. Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage in various contexts to express movement or a change in stance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "budge" functions primarily as a verb, signifying movement or a change in position, but often highlighting a resistance to change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, especially in news and formal business contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral register. To avoid common errors, ensure "budge" isn't used for large-scale transformations, as it implies a slight shift or unwillingness to move. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility in describing both physical and attitudinal stances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift one's position

Implies a change in opinion or stance, similar to refusing to "budge", but suggests the opposite action.

change one's mind

Directly relates to altering one's opinion, whereas "budge" can refer to physical movement or a change in attitude.

modify view

Focuses specifically on changing an opinion or belief.

alter stance

Similar to shifting position, but more formal and deliberate.

yield ground

Suggests conceding a point or argument, contrasting with refusing to "budge".

reconsider

Suggests thinking again about a decision, with the possibility of changing it.

waver

Implies hesitation or uncertainty before potentially changing position.

give way

Indicates a collapse or surrender, rather than a simple refusal to move or change.

soften approach

Indicates becoming more lenient or agreeable, especially in negotiations.

move slightly

Emphasizes minimal physical movement or a small change in opinion.

FAQs

How to use "budge" in a sentence?

"Budge" can be used to describe a refusal to move physically or a resistance to changing one's opinion. For example, "The heavy box wouldn't budge" or "He refused to budge on his demands".

What does it mean when someone won't "budge"?

When someone won't "budge", it means they are unwilling to change their position, opinion, or stance on a particular issue. Alternatives include "remain steadfast" or "stand firm".

What can I say instead of "won't budge"?

Instead of "won't budge", you can use phrases such as "unyielding", "inflexible", or "adamant" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "budge an inch"?

Yes, "budge an inch" is an idiomatic expression that emphasizes the unwillingness to make even the slightest concession or change in position. It is a more emphatic way of saying someone won't "budge".