wrangle
/ˈræŋɡl/ (bre, ipa) · [rˈæŋɡəl] /ˈræŋɡl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈræŋ.ɡəl/ (bre, ipa) · [rˈæŋɡəl] /ˈræŋ.ɡəl/ (ame, ipa)
wrangle — noun
1. a loud or angry dispute between people or groups that drags on for weeks or mont
a loud or angry dispute between people or groups that drags on for weeks or months, often about money, rules, or who is responsible for something
The budget wrangle between the two departments lasted for nearly six months.
collocation: budget wrangle
A legal wrangle over the inheritance left the family deeply divided.
collocation: legal wrangle
The trade wrangle between the two countries hurt small farmers on both sides.
After a long wrangle, the committee finally agreed on a new rule.
- agreement
a shared decision or understanding
用法筆記
Common in news reports about politics, business, and law. Often paired with nouns like 'budget', 'contract', 'legal', or 'trade'.
常見錯誤
wrangle — verb
- wranglepresent simple I / you / we / they
- wrangles3rd person singular
- wrangling-ing form
- wrangledpast simple
1. to keep, guide, and look after large livestock on a farm — for example, cattle,
to keep, guide, and look after large livestock on a farm — for example, cattle, horses, or sheep
Pedro has been wrangling horses on the family ranch since he was twelve years old.
wrangle + horses
The ranch hands wrangled the cattle into separate pens before the market auction.
wrangle + cattle into [place]
Tanvi learned to wrangle goats from her grandmother in a mountain village in India.
The farm workers wrangled the sheep onto the truck for the trip to the summer pasture.
文法句型
wrangle + animal
用法筆記
This is the most common modern use of 'wrangle', especially in American English. A 'wrangler' is a person whose job is to take care of horses or other livestock on a ranch.
常見錯誤
2. to take part in a loud and angry dispute that goes on for a very long time becau
to take part in a loud and angry dispute that goes on for a very long time because neither person nor group will accept the other's position
David and Ramón wrangled over the wording of the contract for weeks.
wrangle + over + topic
The two committees wrangled about how to spend the remaining funds.
wrangle + about + topic
Sayaka wrangled with her boss for months about the new project deadlines.
Neighbors wrangled noisily over the property line until a lawyer was brought in.
- agree
to share the same opinion
文法句型
wrangle + about/over + topic
wrangle + with + person
用法筆記
Wrangle (argue) is less common than 'argue' or 'disagree'. It suggests a hotter, more stubborn dispute that drags on. Not used for casual disagreements.
常見錯誤
3. to move someone or something to a different place, especially when this is physi
to move someone or something to a different place, especially when this is physically difficult or involves pushing, pulling, or twisting
The nurses wrangled the heavy patient into a more comfortable position in the bed.
wrangle + person + into [position]
Mark wrangled the old sofa up the narrow staircase all by himself.
wrangle + object + up/down [space]
Anthony wrangled his heavy suitcase through the crowded train station.
The movers wrangled the piano out through the front door and onto the truck.
文法句型
wrangle + object + preposition + location
用法筆記
Often used when moving something large or awkward through a tight space. The physical effort involved is the key idea — this sense extends from the 'animal herding' sense to objects.
4. to deal with or take care of a difficult person, group, or situation, especially
to deal with or take care of a difficult person, group, or situation, especially when there are many things happening at once
Isabela spent the afternoon wrangling the busy schedules of three young children.
wrangle + schedules
The IT team wrangled the server problems late into the night to restore the system.
wrangle + problems
Tunde wrangled ten excited tourists through the crowded market without losing anyone.
The wedding planner wrangled fifteen vendors, three caterers, and a very nervous bride.
文法句型
wrangle + difficult situation
用法筆記
This sense is often used humorously or informally. You wrangle a situation that feels messy or chaotic — like a busy schedule, a difficult group, or a complicated event.
5. to obtain something by using charm, persuasion, or clever methods, often when th
to obtain something by using charm, persuasion, or clever methods, often when the person you ask does not want to give it at first
Sirin wrangled an invitation to the exclusive dinner by charming the host in advance.
wrangle + invitation
Mizuki wrangled a discount on the car by pointing out every small scratch to the seller.
wrangle + discount from + person
The young journalist wrangled an interview with the governor after months of persistent effort.
David wrangled two extra tickets to the concert from a friend who worked at the venue.
- lose
to fail to keep or obtain something
文法句型
wrangle + object + from + person
用法筆記
Similar to 'wangle' or 'finagle'. It suggests using social skill rather than direct demand or payment. Often used in informal speech.