budge

/bʌdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈʌdʒ] /bʌdʒ/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈʌdʒ] /ˈbəj/ (ame, mw)

budge — verb

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

1. to move a small distance from where something is stuck or fixed, or to make some

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to move a small distance from where something is stuck or fixed, or to make something do this

例句

Emeka pushed the heavy sofa but it would not budge an inch.

negative pattern: would not budge an inch

The old suitcase was stuck under the bed and Siti could not budge it.

同義詞
  • move

    more general; budge implies overcoming resistance

  • shift

    suggests a small change in position, but budge emphasizes reluctant movement from a stuck state

  • stir

    describes the beginning of movement; budge implies actual displacement

反義詞

文法句型

something + won't budge

someone + cannot budge + something

budge + from + place

用法筆記

Frequently used in negative constructions (won't budge, refused to budge, couldn't budge). When transitive, the object is typically something stuck or heavy — a drawer, a rock, a piece of furniture.

常見錯誤

❌I budged to the other side of the room.
✅I moved to the other side of the room.
💡budge is only for slight movement from a fixed position, not for normal walking or relocation.

2. to shift from a firmly held opinion or decision, or to cause another person to d

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to shift from a firmly held opinion or decision, or to cause another person to do so

例句

Omar refused to budge on the price, even after an hour of bargaining.

budge + on + noun phrase for negotiation topics

Council member Yuna and Mayor Torres argued for hours over the budget, but neither side would budge.

同義詞
  • yield

    slightly more formal than budge; common in written English

  • relent

    implies softening after pressure; budge focuses on the change itself rather than the emotional shift

  • concede

    suggests admitting defeat; budge is less about winning or losing

  • give way

    close in meaning but budge is used more often in negative statements

反義詞

文法句型

someone + won't budge

someone + cannot budge + someone

budge + on + issue

用法筆記

Frequently used in contexts of negotiation, argument, or disagreement. Distinguish from sense 1 (MOVE SLIGHTLY): this sense is about opinions and positions, not physical objects.

常見錯誤

❌She finally budged with my plan.
✅She finally budged on the issue.
💡use 'budge on' to name the topic, not 'budge with'.