English Idiom – Get a wriggle on (or get a wiggle on).
Hurry up! It’s used to tell someone, quite firmly, to do something faster.
In the UK, get a wriggle on is more common. In the US, you’re more likely to hear get a wiggle on. It’s informal – fine with friends and family, but a bit too cheeky for your boss!
Wriggle or Wiggle?
- To wiggle – to move with small, quick movements, often side to side.
- To wriggle – to twist and turn your body, especially to get free from something.
Similar Expressions:
- Get your skates on (idiom) – hurry up.
- Chop chop (idiom) – quickly!
- Skedaddle (slang) – leave quickly.
Usage:
- Someone is taking too long to get ready.
- Someone is taking too long to finish something.
- Someone is walking too slowly.
- You’re losing patience!
Example:
- “What’s taking you so long? If you don’t get a wriggle on, we’re going to miss our flight!”
Learn More
Look it upGet a wriggle onWiktionaryWhat is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hurry up. It is an informal way of telling someone to go faster.
Both are used. “Get a wriggle on” is more common in British English, and “get a wiggle on” in American English.
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