ENGLISH
REFERENCE

badger

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbædʒɝ// UK //bˈædʒɐ// bad·ger Archaic Slang

v. to ask someone for something again and again in a way that is annoying. You use this when you keep pushing someone to do or give you something.

v. to pester or press someone persistently and often annoyingly for a response or action. Transitive; typically takes a person as the direct object and an infinitive or prepositional phrase indicating the goal.


SIMPLE

Stop badgering me for the keys.

CONTEXTUAL

The journalist badgered the politician for a clear answer during the press conference.

COMPLEX

She felt badgered by her colleagues until she finally agreed to lead the project, a decision that shifted the team's dynamic entirely.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object (the person being pressed). It is often followed by 'for' + noun or an infinitive clause.

Pitfall

He badgered me about the reportHe badgered me for the reportBadger typically takes 'for' when asking for a thing, not 'about'.

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