verb
budge
buhj
verb
1
To move even slightly, especially from a fixed position.
"The stubborn old door wouldn't budge no matter how hard he pushed."
"The stalled car refused to budge an inch."
2
To change one's opinion, position, or decision, even slightly.
"Despite hours of arguing, neither side would budge."
How to Use Budge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move or change position or opinion, often used in the negative ("won't budge") to describe stubbornness.
Common mistake
Almost always used with a negative ("wouldn't budge," "won't budge") to describe something stubborn or immovable.
Common pairings
won't budge
refuse to budge
budge an inch
Word Forms
budged past tense, Budges plural, budges singular
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The stubborn old door wouldn't _____ no matter how hard he pushed.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French "bouger" ("to move"), ultimately from Latin "bullire," meaning "to boil" or "bubble" — the same root that gives us "boil."