ENGLISH
REFERENCE

thin end of the wedge

idiom
Meaning

Something that if allowed or accepted to a small degree would lead to systematic encroachment.


Examples
SIMPLE

Allowing this small change is the thin end of the wedge.

CONTEXTUAL

If we let them skip this one rule, it could be the thin end of the wedge for our entire policy.

COMPLEX

Many critics argued that the new legislation was merely the thin end of the wedge, fearing it would eventually erode fundamental civil liberties.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    arse end of nowhere

    A very remote place.

  2. 02

    big end of town

    The top end of town.

  3. 03

    bitter end

    The end of a long and difficult process.

  4. 04

    business end

    The part of an object (chiefly a tool or weapon) that is physically used for its operation, rather than some other part such as the part by which it is held.

  5. 05

    come to a sticky end

    To die unpleasantly due to one's actions.

  6. 06

    come to an end

    To stop; to cease; to no longer continue.

  7. 07

    dead end

    A street or path or tunnel that goes nowhere or is blocked on one end.

  8. 08

    drive a wedge

    To separate.

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