Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

thin end of the wedge

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.56 in modern English

Syllables: thin end of the wedge
IPA

32

Scrabble Score

17

Letters

1

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Something that if allowed or accepted to a small degree would lead to systematic encroachment.

Example Sentences

"The MP told parliament that legalising cannabis would be the thin end of the wedge."
"This is known as the 'thin end of the wedge' argument raised by people who don't want to lose the protection of restrictive covenants. The 'thin end of the wedge' means that when you drive a wedge into something, you use the thin end first because it's easier than using the thick end."

Inflected Forms

the thin end of the wedge (canonical) small end of the wedge (alternative) thin edge of the wedge (alternative)

Phrases

give them an inch and they'll take a mile

Frequently Paired Words

give them an inch and they'll take a mile

Questions

What does thin end of the wedge mean?: Something that if allowed or accepted to a small degree would lead to systematic encroachment.

How to pronounce thin end of the wedge

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