# weasel

/ˈwizəɫ/ (US) · /wˈiːzəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/weasel
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the animal

noun · CEFR B2

a small, thin animal with a long body and short legs that hunts other animals.

For teachers: a small, slender-bodied carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela, typically having reddish-brown fur and a white belly.

- The weasel disappeared into a small hole in the stone wall.
- Farmers often view the weasel with a mix of respect and frustration, as it is a highly efficient predator of both rodents and poultry.

### 2. a sneaky person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who is dishonest, sneaky, or cannot be trusted.

For teachers: a person regarded as devious, treacherous, or sneaky. Informal and derogatory in register.

- Don't trust him with your secrets; he is a total weasel.
- The office manager was described as a weasel by his subordinates after he took credit for their collective achievements during the board meeting.

### 3. to escape a duty

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to avoid doing something you should do by being sneaky or making excuses.

For teachers: to avoid a commitment or responsibility through devious or evasive means; frequently used with the particle 'out'.

- He tried to weasel out of his chores by pretending to be sick.
- The politician attempted to weasel out of his earlier promises by claiming the economic climate had shifted significantly since the election.

Usage: Often used in the phrasal verb form 'weasel out of'.

### 4. to manipulate a situation

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to get what you want by using clever or dishonest tricks.

For teachers: to achieve a goal or gain a position through cunning or manipulation.

- She managed to weasel her way into the VIP section without a ticket.
- Through a series of calculated social maneuvers, he managed to weasel his way into the inner circle of the city's elite.

## Examples

- Don't be such a weasel and just tell the truth.
- The manager proved to be a total weasel when he blamed his own mistakes on the junior staff.
- In political circles, he was known as a weasel who would switch sides the moment he sensed a shift in public opinion, making him impossible to trust in a crisis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.