budge

IPA/bʌdʒ/
KK[bˈʌdʒ]IPA/bʌdʒ/

budge — verb

  • budgepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • budgeshe / she / it
  • budgedpast simple
  • budging-ing form

1. to move a very small amount, or to make something move a small amount — especial

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to move a very small amount, or to make something move a small amount — especially when it is stuck in a fixed position or is very heavy.

例句

Tomás pushed against the jammed window with both hands, but it would not budge.

would not budge (intransitive, stuck object)

The old wooden crate was wedged between two shelves, and Lakshmi could not budge it.

could not budge [it] (transitive use)

同義詞
  • move

    general and neutral; 'move' does not suggest resistance, while 'budge' implies something is stuck

  • shift

    slightly more formal; 'shift' can describe a deliberate repositioning, not necessarily against resistance

  • stir

    suggests very slight movement, often of a person who was still

反義詞
  • stick

    opposite outcome — something that sticks stays completely still

  • stay put

    informal phrase meaning to remain exactly where it is

文法句型

Subject + won't/wouldn't/refuse to + budge

Subject + can't/couldn't + budge + object

用法筆記

Most common in negative contexts — you usually hear what will NOT budge rather than what does budge. The fixed phrase 'not budge an inch' adds emphasis.

常見錯誤

❌The door budged easily.
✅The door would not budge at all.
💡'budge' is far more common in negative sentences; for positive movement, use 'move' or 'shift'.

2. to give up a strongly held opinion or decision, or to persuade someone else to d

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to give up a strongly held opinion or decision, or to persuade someone else to do the same, especially when others are putting pressure on you.

例句

Nadia refused to budge on her decision to leave the drama club.

refuse to budge on [decision] (opinion sense)

The workers would not budge from their demand for safer working conditions.

同義詞
  • yield

    more formal; 'yield' implies giving in completely, while 'budge' suggests even a small shift

  • give way

    slightly informal; describes a person surrendering their position under pressure

  • compromise

    neutral and positive; 'compromise' means both sides move, while 'budge' usually describes one side holding firm

反義詞
  • stand firm

    opposite outcome — to hold your position strongly

  • hold your ground

    idiomatic; similar to 'stand firm', suggesting resistance to pressure

文法句型

Subject + won't/wouldn't/refuse to + budge + on [issue] / from [position]

Subject + can't/couldn't + budge + object (person)

用法筆記

Like the physical sense, this meaning is most common in negative constructions. The 'on' preposition introduces the topic; 'from' introduces the original stance. Distinguish from sense 1: here the subject is not physically stuck but mentally firm.

常見錯誤

❌I budged my opinion about the movie.
✅I would not budge on my opinion about the movie.
💡'budge' in the opinion sense is best used with negatives to show firmness.