squirm

/skwə:m/
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Thân thiện
squirm

The child squirms in his seat during the long car ride.

Definition

  1. Verb:

    • To wriggle or twist the body from side to side, especially because of discomfort, nervousness, or embarrassment: It describes a physical movement, often small and restless, made when someone is uneasy or trying to get free.
    • To feel or show acute mental discomfort or embarrassment: Used figuratively to describe an emotional state of unease.

  2. Noun:

    • A wriggling or twisting movement: The act of squirming.
Usage Examples

  • Verb:

    • The child began to squirm in his seat during the long, boring lecture.
    • She made him squirm with her pointed questions about his past.
    • The worm squirmed in the dirt after the rain.

  • Noun:

    • With a final squirm, the puppy escaped from my arms.
Advanced Usage

  • "to make someone squirm": to cause someone to feel very embarrassed or uncomfortable.

    • The prosecutor's relentless questioning was designed to make the witness squirm.

  • "squirm out of (something)": to avoid an obligation, duty, or difficult situation in a cunning or evasive way. (Note: This is a phrasal verb using the target word).

    • He always tries to squirm out of doing the dishes.
Variants and Related Words
  • Squirmy (adjective): Characterized by or causing a tendency to squirm; fidgety.
    • The squirmy toddler couldn't sit still for the photo.
Synonyms
  • Wriggle: To twist and turn with quick, short movements.
  • Writhe: To make twisting, squirming movements, often due to great pain.
  • Fidget: To make small movements, especially of the hands and feet, through nervousness or impatience.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Squirm out of: To avoid something (a responsibility, an appointment) in a clever or dishonest way.
    • He managed to squirm out of the meeting by pretending to be sick.
Related Idioms
  • Squirm like a worm on a hook: To show extreme discomfort or agitation, akin to a caught worm.
    • Under the boss's stern gaze, he squirmed like a worm on a hook.
squirm

The child squirms in his seat during the long car ride.

Noun
  1. the act of wiggling
Verb
  1. to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
    • The prisoner writhed in discomfort
    • The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace

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