Grammar fix

wriggle out of

avoid an obligation (figurative)

to cleverly or dishonestly avoid doing something you should do, such as a responsibility, duty, or promise, often by making excuses or finding loopholes

phrasal verbC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

He always tries to wriggle out of doing the washing up.work
Some people attempt to wriggle out of their social responsibilities, but I believe everyone should contribute to the community.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: wriggle out of + noun/gerund

WrongHe wriggled out doing the work.

RightHe wriggled out of doing the work.

'Wriggle out OF' something — don't drop 'of'; takes '+ -ing'.

Patternwriggle out of + noun/gerund

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff He devised excuses to evade his contractual obligations.

Natural He always wriggles out of doing his share.

'Wriggle out of' captures sneakily dodging a duty; 'evade contractual obligations' is formal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

wriggle out of + duty
of itof the contractof doing itof responsibility

Don't confuse it

Unlike the literal sense of 'wriggle' (move your body to get free), this sense is figurative and about avoiding something you should do. Compared to 'get out of', 'wriggle out of' suggests more effort or cleverness in escaping responsibility.

Try it in Daily Speak →