refuse to budge

/rɪˈfjuːz tuː bʌdʒ/
stubbornly resist changing one's position

Despite the protests, the government refused to budge on the policy.

The government stubbornly maintained its position despite opposition.

◆ What It Really Means
To stubbornly resist changing one's position or opinion despite pressure or persuasion.
Literal Meaning
To decline to move even slightly.
Literal Breakdown
refuseto decline or reject+toinfinitive marker+budgeto move slightly
◇ Mental Image
A person physically refusing to move even a small distance, symbolizing inflexibility.
◈ When to Use
During a heated debate, one participant refuses to budge from their original argument, no matter how compelling the opposing points are.
◉ Cultural Note
This phrase reflects a cultural emphasis on persistence and resolve, often seen as a positive trait in negotiations or disputes.
informal

To stubbornly refuse to change one's position, opinion, or decision despite pressure or persuasion.

She refused to budge from her stance on the issue, even when presented with new evidence.

She remained firm in her position and did not change her mind.

The negotiators refused to budge on the contract terms, leading to a stalemate.

The negotiators were unwilling to compromise, causing the talks to reach an impasse.

This phrase is often used to describe someone who is inflexible or unyielding in a disagreement or negotiation.

Related Phrases

dig in one's heelsidiom
to resist change or compromise stubbornly
stand one's groundidiom
to maintain one's position firmly

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use this phrase when describing someone who is unwilling to change their position, especially in arguments or negotiations.

Gold Rule

Formal vs. Informal

While this phrase is informal, it can be used in formal contexts to emphasize stubbornness.

Word Origin

The phrase combines 'refuse' (to decline or reject) and 'budge' (to move slightly), emphasizing a strong resistance to change.

Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in informal and conversational contexts to describe stubbornness or inflexibility.

Word Breakdown

refuse
to decline or reject
root
+
to
infinitive marker
grammatical
+
budge
to move slightly
root
English Dictionary
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