English Reference
verb · noun

budge

v. · n.
US /ˈbədʒ/ UK /bˈʌdʒ/ budge UK spelling budged, budges, budging

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to move even a tiny bit, especially when something is stuck or very heavy.

    v.to move or shift slightly from a fixed position. Often used in the negative to emphasize that an object is immovable.

    Simple

    I pushed the heavy sofa as hard as I could, but it wouldn't budge.

    In context

    Despite the combined efforts of the recovery team, the boulder refused to budge from the narrow mountain pass.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to change your opinion or decision because someone is trying to persuade you.

    v.to yield or compromise in one's opinions, beliefs, or demands under pressure.

    Simple

    The manager refused to budge on the price, even after we complained.

    In context

    Negotiators remained hopeful, but the opposing party would not budge on the core issue of territorial sovereignty.

    yieldrelentgive in
  3. 03 C1 Advanced DialectInformal

    v.to push into a line of people instead of waiting at the back.

    v.to join the front or middle of a queue rather than the back; to cut in line.

    Simple

    It is very rude to budge in line when others have been waiting for an hour.

    In context

    The supervisor had to intervene when a group of teenagers tried to budge in at the front of the ticket queue.

    cut injump the line
  4. 04 C2 Proficiency ArchaicTechnical

    n.a type of lamb fur used in the past to decorate clothing.

    n.a type of fur prepared from lambskin with the wool left on, historically used for trimming scholastic or formal garments.

    Simple

    The old portraits show scholars wearing gowns trimmed with budge.

    In context

    The ceremonial robes were traditionally edged with budge, a practice that fell out of common use by the late seventeenth century.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated