English Idiom – Get a wriggle on or Get a wiggle on.
Meaning – Hurry up. This expression is used when you want to tell someone (quite forcefully) to do something faster.
In the UK get a wriggle on is more common. In the US get a wiggle on is used more.
Similar idioms include get your skates on and chop chop. The slang expression skedaddle can be used if you have to leave a place quickly.
The verbs wriggle and wiggle are similar – but not exactly the same.
- To wiggle means to move in any direction with small, quick movements.
- To wriggle means to twist and turn, especially if you are trying to remove yourself from a trap.
Still confused? This animations might help:
wiggle
wriggle
Usage:
When could you use this idiom?
- If somebody is taking too long to get ready.
- When a person is taking too long to finish doing something.
- If someone is walking too slowly.
- When you are losing patience with someone!
Example:
- “What’s taking you so long? If you don’t get a wriggle on we are going to miss our flight!”
In The News:
Discuss:
- Is there an idiom like this in your country?
What 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.
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