duck out of vs wriggle out of

Both "duck out of" and "wriggle out of" are correct phrases that are commonly used in English. They both convey the idea of avoiding or escaping from a situation or responsibility, but "duck out of" is more informal and casual, while "wriggle out of" implies a bit more effort or cunning in avoiding something.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 832 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts to mean avoiding or escaping from a situation or responsibility.

"duck out of"

It is often used in casual conversations or informal writing to indicate avoiding something, especially when it involves a quick exit or evasion.

Examples:

He tried to duck out of doing the dishes by pretending to be busy.
She always finds a way to duck out of boring meetings.
Don't try to duck out of your responsibilities.

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I don't like guys that duck out of national service.
I saw him duck out of the crowd over here.
I'll duck out of the dinner next week.
He does this magic trick where he pulls a duck out of a hat.
If I duck out of it, he will kill more of your men.
and make stuffed duck out of him!
I think it's an excuse to duck out of your responsibilities at home!
and I didn't expect you to duck out of your victory party tonight.
Those of you who remember meetings here years, even decades ago - when decisions about new production lines - or new paper types or grenade casings were made - may consider this rubber duck out of place - or even amusing.
But if you see a camera, you duck out of sight, all right?
I usually try and duck out of it, particularly in Scotland. I'm rather fond of Scotland.
When he made it big, he tried to duck out of it.
Would he not agree that he should be leading to ensure that in the light of international terrorism he takes a positive role and does not try to duck out of this position?

Alternatives:

avoid
evade
escape from
shirk
dodge

This phrase is correct and commonly used to mean skillfully avoiding or escaping from a situation or responsibility.

"wriggle out of"

It implies a bit more effort or cunning in avoiding something compared to "duck out of." It can be used in various contexts, both formal and informal.

Examples:

He managed to wriggle out of paying for the damages.
She always finds a way to wriggle out of difficult situations.
The politician tried to wriggle out of answering the tough questions.

Show examples from the web [+]

Your client can't wriggle out of this indefinitely.
The Council is trying to wriggle out of its duty here.
And he'll wriggle out of this.
Clark's been trying to wriggle out of the compensation package that he agreed with Charles.
I don't think they're going to wriggle out of this one.
We should not let these countries wriggle out of their responsibility for this problem.
The aid creates obligations but all the indications are that the president is trying to wriggle out of them.
The financing needed to fight and adapt to climate change is an additional responsibility that the developed world cannot afford to wriggle out of.
Far too many in Parliament and among EU governments are trying to wriggle out of the promises given to Turkey as a candidate country.
There is a very great temptation now to try to wriggle out of the situation.
How in the heck does she wriggle out of this?
You got anything on over the next three or four days you can't wriggle out of?
- No one touch me! ...from trying to wriggle out of her cuffs, right?
So, you've managed to wriggle out of trouble, have you?
I urge all EU Member States to sign and ratify this Convention and not to try to redefine what we mean by cluster munitions so as to wriggle out of their responsibilities, as certain Member States are trying to do.
They will always find a way, be it to right, to left, down the middle or wherever, to wriggle out of it.
I hear that, sadly, the UK Government is trying to wriggle out of the intended requirement to prevent producers from making their reuse difficult by claiming that these products are consumables.
Genuine prevention of pollution calls for restrictive measures as far-reaching as confiscation of a polluting company, which no company can wriggle out of.
I told you they'd try to wriggle their way out of this.
Then I had enough room to wriggle out and get away.

Alternatives:

avoid skillfully
evade cleverly
escape from cunningly
dodge adeptly
sidestep

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duck out of vs wriggle out of

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