budge slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "budge slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a small movement or change in position, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "Despite my efforts to persuade him, he wouldn't budge slightly on his decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quayle's net favorable rating (favorable unfavorable) budged slightly from -4% to -5% according to an NBC poll from the Roper archives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, you take a picture by pressing up or down on the silver plastic ring around the lens, which budges slightly and clicks.

The New York Times - Tech

The United States budged slightly at the United Nations on its ultimatum for Iraq, where the mood was growing tense in expectation of war.

The New York Times

Amanda gagged a bit when the back of her throat was tickled, and one of her pupils budged slightly when a flashlight was shined on it.

The New York Times - Magazine

It has budged slightly, enough to allow this week's storm to get through — but it's moving in a way that results in a pretty dry system.

Los Angeles Times

She chooses a card and budges slightly so that I can resume my hunt.

Los Angeles Times

Median sales peaked at $338,000 in June 2006, plummeted to $155,000 in March 2011 and have budged only slightly since then.

The Washington Post

"Since then a lot has happened — sex tapes, election rigging, WikiLeaks — but our numbers have budged only slightly".

The New Yorker

Indeed, total household debt is now nine times what it was in 1981 — rising twice as fast as disposable income over the same period — yet the portion of disposable income that goes toward covering that debt has budged only slightly, increasing to 12.6 percent from 10.7 percent.

The New York Times

After most temperature changes, the material's coercivity budged only slightly.

Science Magazine

(Like a 1 inch (25.5 ~ 26mm) open end wrench can be used to budge the cam slightly to get a cam timing mark back aligned while keeping the the stopper "jammed" (in to hold the sprockets) in place until you get the belt on and the tension spring on right.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "budge slightly" when you want to emphasize a small degree of movement or change. It's suitable for both physical and abstract contexts. For instance, "The door budged slightly" or "The policy budged slightly to accommodate the new regulations".

Common error

While "budge slightly" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal or technical writing can sound less precise. Opt for more specific verbs or adverbs to better convey the exact nature and extent of the change. For example, replace it with "adjusted marginally" or "altered incrementally" depending on your field of writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "budge slightly" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. According to Ludwig, it describes a minor degree of movement or change. It adds detail by specifying the extent to which something moves or shifts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "budge slightly" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe a minor change or movement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Although relatively rare in overall usage, the phrase appears across various contexts, with a slight emphasis on News & Media and Science. Alternatives such as "move a bit" or "shift ever so slightly" offer similar meanings but may differ in nuance. When writing, be mindful of the context and choose the most appropriate phrase to convey the intended degree of change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift ever so slightly

Emphasizes the minimal degree of change or movement.

move a bit

Indicates a small amount of physical movement.

adjust marginally

Focuses on a small adjustment or alteration.

alter minimally

Highlights a small degree of alteration or modification.

change just a little

Uses simpler vocabulary to express a minor change.

give way a fraction

Suggests a yielding or concession, but only to a small extent.

yield somewhat

Indicates a partial surrender or compliance.

inch forward

Implies a slow, gradual advancement.

deflect marginally

Signifies a small deviation or turning aside.

recede incrementally

Describes a gradual withdrawal or reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "budge slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "budge slightly" to describe a minor change or movement. For example, "The price of the stock "budged slightly" after the announcement" or "The heavy door only "budged slightly" when I pushed it".

What are some alternatives to "budge slightly"?

Some alternatives include "move a bit", "shift ever so slightly", or "adjust marginally", depending on the context.

Is "budge slightly" formal or informal?

"Budge slightly" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferable in highly technical writing.

Which is more appropriate: "budge slightly" or "budge significantly"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you want to describe. Use "budge slightly" for a minor change, and a phrase like "change significantly" for a more substantial alteration.