nudge1

[nuhj] /nʌdʒ/
verb (used with object), nudged, nudging.
1.
to push slightly or gently, especially with the elbow, to get someone's attention, prod someone into action, etc.
verb (used without object), nudged, nudging.
2.
to give a nudge.
noun
3.
a slight or gentle push or jog, especially with the elbow.
Origin
1665-75; variant of dial. (k)nidge, akin to Old English cnucian, cnocian to knock
Related forms
nudger, noun
Synonyms
1. elbow, poke, jog.

nudge2

[noo j] /nʊdʒ/
verb (used with object), nudged, nudging.
1.
to annoy with persistent complaints, criticisms, or pleas; nag:
He was always nudging his son to move to a better neighborhood.
verb (used without object), nudged, nudging.
2.
to nag, whine, or carp.
noun
3.
a person who nudges; pest.
Also, noodge, nudzh.
Origin
1875-80; < Yiddish, stem of nudyen to bore < Polish nudzić; cf. nudnik
Examples from the web for nudge
  • We need to nudge police agencies to create a climate that destroys the confidence of those with violent plans.
  • But plenty of students are right on the bubble, where a little nudge might bring them out of academic risk.
  • So the best bet is a series of more moderate options to nudge lenders in the right direction.
  • He used the space station's robot arm to nudge the bus-size lab into place.
  • Researchers nudge closer to the goal of quantum computing.
  • We head back with a barrel full of lobsters, rumble into the harbor and nudge up alongside the co-op.
  • Each nudge extracts an invisible price in terms of customer loyalty.
  • The latest surge in oil prices threatens to nudge it higher.
  • As the stack gets higher and higher, it would be more likely to fall over from a slight nudge.
  • Even the biggest firms usually lack the market power to nudge prices upward.
British Dictionary definitions for nudge

nudge

/nʌdʒ/
verb (transitive)
1.
to push or poke (someone) gently, esp with the elbow, to get attention; jog
2.
to push slowly or lightly: as I drove out, I just nudged the gatepost
3.
to give (someone) a gentle reminder or encouragement
noun
4.
a gentle poke or push
5.
a gentle reminder
Derived Forms
nudger, noun
Word Origin
C17: perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Icelandic nugga to push
Word Origin and History for nudge
v.

"to push slightly with the elbow," 1670s, perhaps from Scandinavian (cf. Norwegian nugge, nyggje "to jostle, rub;" Icelandic nugga "to rub, massage"). Related: Nudged; nudging.

n.

"complainer, nagger," 1960s, from Yiddish, from Slavic words meaning "fret, ache," realted to the root of nudnik (q.v.).

"a slight push," 1836, from nudge (v.).

Slang definitions & phrases for nudge

nudge

noun

A chronic nagger, kibitzer, or complainer: He's not a writer, he's a nudge/not as an assassin, but as a nudge and a nerd (1960s+) v: Usually he comes up to nudgy me while I'm writing/and oh nudjh, could he nudjh!

[fr Yiddish fr Slavic ''fret, dully ache''; perhaps influenced by English nudge]