wriggle out

Related to wriggle out: fit in with, in line with

wriggle out (of something)

1. To extricate oneself from a snug thing or place by or as by twisting and contorting one's body in order to maneuver out of it. I thought I was completely stuck in the crawlspace, but I was finally able to wriggle out. The jeans were so tight that I had to wriggle out of them.
2. To avoid or disentangle oneself from some situation, task, duty, or responsibility, especially through sly, devious, or cunning means. He always tries to wriggle out of doing the dishes each night, claiming he has some project or another he has to work on for school. Sally always finds some way to wriggle out of any trouble she gets herself into. I told you two weeks ago that the whole company has to be there to do the stock count—you're not wriggling out of it this time!
See also: out, wriggle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

wriggle out

 (of something)
1. . Lit. to wiggle and squeeze out of something or some place. She wriggled out of her tight skirt and changed into something more comfortable. The skirt was so tight, she had to wriggle out. She couldn't pull it off.
2. . Fig. to get out of having to do something; to evade a responsibility. Don't try to wriggle out of this. I won't let you wriggle out this time.
See also: out, wriggle
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

wriggle out

v.
1. To free oneself from something by turning or twisting the body with sinuous writhing motions: I tried to pick up the cat, but it wriggled out of my grasp and ran away.
2. To extricate oneself by sly or subtle means from some situation; worm one's way out of some situation: He always wriggles out of trouble by placing the blame on someone else.
See also: out, wriggle
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • wiggle (one's) way out (of something)
  • wiggle out
  • wiggle out (of something)
  • wiggle out of
  • wiggle out of something
  • wriggle (one's) way out (of something)
  • wriggle out (of something)
  • work (one's) way into (something or some place)
  • get out while the getting’s good
  • gettin
References in periodicals archive
It is simply unacceptable that they are now trying to wriggle out of that commitment.
with so much shame and self-hatred you will wriggle out of yourself
But the 12-year-old sixth grade student of the New Indian School displayed strong tactics and clever combinations to wriggle out with a draw.
Mr Cowen, presumably, spent the day yesterday being advised on the best way to wriggle out of the crisis.
GARY JOHNSON reckons he is going to take legal advice in a bid to wriggle out of a cheeky public appearance at Burton's in Bristol - thanks to central defender Liam Fontaine's first-ever goal for the Robins.
Sebastian Catovsky, ABI policy adviser on flooding, denied insurers were trying to wriggle out of pay-outs by slapping pounds 10,000 excess charges on customers.
In this episode, Mr JLB Matekoni manages to wriggle out of making a sponsored parachute jump to raise funds for the local orphan farm, but can't quite wriggle out of marrying Mme Ramotswe under the jacaranda tree.