wormed through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wormed through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of moving or navigating through something in a winding or intricate manner, often implying difficulty or effort. Example: "The mouse wormed through the narrow gap in the wall to escape the cat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sky-lighted pedestrian corridors, shortcuts, they wormed through whole blocks of masonry buildings and looked immaculate -- all glass, marble and shiny steel, with barrel-vaulted ceilings, domed aeries and soaring atriums, knitted seamlessly into the surrounding streetscape.

The New York Times

I had no idea that the entire mortgage industry was wormed through with rot and disease and fraud, that the mortgage bonds that had fueled an unprecedented run of growth and profit were stuffed with adjustable-rate loans doomed to fail.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I can smell the alcohol on her breath worming through the air as she starts to speak, first in a whisper: "You stay the fuck away from me".

The New Yorker

After worming through a series of narrow passages, they climbed a rise of rock and squeezed through one last fissure, reaching what appeared to be the end of the path.

The New Yorker

As the RollerGirls' leading scorer, Ms. Brunetti, a petite 27-year-old, tries to avoid the elbows and shoulders thrown her way as she worms through opponents intent on blocking her path.

The New York Times

By Robert Moor February 20 ,2017 The informal paths known as desire lines can be found all over the city and all over the world, scarring pristine lawns and worming through forest undergrowth.

The New Yorker

Both groups determined that worming through narrow gaps damaged the cells' DNA.

Science Magazine

How that revelation wormed itself through the chaos of my mind at that time, I am not quite sure.

Huffington Post

A.I.G. employees concocted complex derivatives that then wormed their way through the global financial system.

The New York Times

Then he wormed his way through the hold, inserting a heaping spoon into everyone's mouth.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Shirzai beamed especially broadly when his 7-year-old son wormed his way through the weapons and crowds for a warm embrace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wormed through" to vividly describe movement through a tight or convoluted space, especially when emphasizing the effort or intricacy involved. For example, "The hikers wormed through the dense undergrowth."

Common error

Avoid using "wormed through" to describe abstract processes where physical movement isn't implied. For example, instead of saying "The idea wormed through his mind", consider a phrase like "The idea permeated his thoughts" or "The idea took root in his mind."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wormed through" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating movement or progression by twisting or wriggling, often implying difficulty or a confined space. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English, as seen in its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Wormed through" is a phrasal verb used to describe moving or progressing by twisting or wriggling, often implying difficulty or a confined space. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English, although relatively rare, as demonstrated by a limited number of examples mostly from News & Media. Related alternatives include "wriggled through" or "squeezed through". When using this phrase, it's best to employ it for concrete physical movements, avoiding abstract applications for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wriggled through

Emphasizes a twisting, snake-like motion when moving through something.

squeezed through

Focuses on the action of compressing oneself to pass through a narrow opening.

navigated through

Highlights the skill or effort required to find a path through something complex or challenging.

maneuvered through

Suggests careful and skillful movement to avoid obstacles or difficulties.

persevered through

Indicates persistent effort to overcome obstacles and move forward.

worked through

Implies a gradual process of dealing with a problem or situation.

made its way through

A more general way of expressing progression through something, without specifying the manner.

passed through

A simple way of indicating movement from one side to another.

crawled through

Describes a slow, low-to-the-ground movement, often implying difficulty.

penetrated through

Focuses on the act of entering or piercing something, often with force.

FAQs

How can I use "wormed through" in a sentence?

You can use "wormed through" to describe movement through a confined space. For example, "The explorers "wormed through" the narrow cave passage."

What's a good alternative to "wormed through"?

Alternatives include "squeezed through", "wriggled through", or "navigated through", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wormed through" formal or informal?

"Wormed through" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may be more common in descriptive writing.

What does it mean to say something "wormed its way through" something else?

It suggests a subtle, often unwanted or insidious progression or influence. For example, "Doubt "wormed its way through" his confidence."