/ nʌdʒ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to push sb gently, especially with your elbow, in order to get their attention :
He nudged me and whispered, 'Look who's just come in.'
2.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to push sb/sth gently or gradually in a particular direction :
He nudged the ball past the goalie and into the net.
She nudged me out of the way.
( figurative )
He nudged the conversation towards the subject of money.
( figurative )
She tried to nudge him into changing his mind (= persuade him to do it) .
3.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to move forward by pushing with your elbow :
[ vn ]
He nudged his way through the crowd.
[also v ]
4.
[ vn ] to reach or make sth reach a particular level :
Inflation is nudging 20%.
This afternoon's sunshine could nudge the temperature above freezing.
■ noun
a slight push, usually with the elbow :
She gave me a gentle nudge in the ribs to tell me to shut up.
( figurative )
He can work hard but he needs a nudge now and then.
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IDIOMS
- nudge nudge, wink wink | a nudge and a wink
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WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent. (as a verb): of unknown origin; compare with Norwegian dialect nugga , nyggja to push, rub.