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Glite Dictionary
to fudge one's way out

to fudge one's way out

9.1
To avoid taking responsibility by lying or being vague
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : eludir
  • He managed to fudge his way out of the meeting by pretending he was ill.

Examples

  • They couldn't fudge their way out of the situation when the truth came out.

  • Whenever there's an issue at work, she tries to fudge her way out instead of taking responsibility.

  • Don't try to fudge your way out of this situation!

  • She always fudges her way out of difficult conversations.

  • Despite being late, he tried to fudge his way out of the meeting by claiming he was stuck in traffic.

  • When the teacher caught her cheating, she attempted to fudge her way out by saying she misunderstood the instructions.

  • Instead of admitting his mistake, he decided to fudge his way out of the conversation with a half-truth.

Synonyms

to get out
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Informal
462 3.8

Avoid doing a task or taking blame you should accept

does so through deceptive or evasive methods rather than simple avoidance
to get away with it
vsto fudge one's way out
234 3.4

Escape blame or punishment for doing something wrong

focuses on evasion by deceit rather than merely avoiding punishment
to evade
vsto fudge one's way out
31 3.9

To avoid doing something you should do, for example a duty or a direct question

does so specifically through deceitful or evasive tactics to escape responsibility
to weasel
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Informal
21 8.0

To avoid responsibility by acting in a sneaky or dishonest way

matches closely but the key stresses broader evasive tactics to escape situations
to sidestep
vsto fudge one's way out
15 4.9

To avoid answering a question or dealing with a problem directly

uses evasive tactics here specifically to escape responsibility or consequences
to weasel out
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Informal
10 8.2

To avoid doing something you should do by being dishonest or tricky

uses deceitful or vague tactics specifically to escape responsibility
to pull the wool over someone's eyes
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Informal
7 8.2

To trick someone by hiding the truth

does that deception particularly to escape responsibility or difficult situations
to equivocate
vsto fudge one's way out
7 9.9

To use unclear words to avoid giving a direct answer or telling the truth

applies that ambiguity mainly to escape responsibility rather than general indecision
to fudge
vsto fudge one's way out
5 7.7

To avoid giving a clear answer or decision

uses vagueness specifically to escape responsibility rather than general avoidance
to finagle
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Informal
4 8.6

Get what you want by tricking people or using clever dishonest methods

uses manipulation instead specifically to avoid duties or escape situations
to prevaricate
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Formal
3 9.1

To avoid giving a direct answer to hide the truth

does this to escape responsibility rather than simply to hide facts
to wiggle out of
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Informal
2 7.0

Avoid a duty or problem by making excuses

relies on evasive deceit rather than clever argument alone to avoid responsibility
to throw off the trail
vsto fudge one's way out
1 7.7

To give false clues so people do not find the truth

is aimed at avoiding responsibility by deceptive misdirection rather than general confusion
to flim-flam
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Archaic
1 9.5

To trick someone by using clever talk

applies such trickery specifically to escaping responsibility or awkward situations
to bluff one's way through
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Informal
1 7.4

Succeed in a difficult situation by pretending to know what you are doing

uses pretending and deceit specifically to avoid responsibility or escape trouble
to play false
vsto fudge one's way out
1 8.1

To trick someone who trusts you by hiding your real plans to get something for yourself

hides motive specifically to escape responsibility using deceitful tactics
to fudge the issue
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Informal
8.4

To avoid answering a question directly by being unclear

applies that vagueness to escaping responsibility or difficult situations
to thimblerig your way out
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Archaic
9.9

To trick people to avoid a problem or responsibility

is similar but emphasizes evasive tactics to avoid responsibility
to flimflam
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Archaic
9.6

To trick someone by lying or cheating

uses deception chiefly to avoid responsibility rather than to cheat others
to concoct an excuse
vsto fudge one's way out
6.5

To make up a false reason to avoid blame

is similar but focuses on evasive tactics to escape responsibility generally
to fugle
vsto fudge one's way out
9.9

To avoid answering or taking responsibility by using clever words

focuses more on manipulation specifically to avoid responsibility or consequences
to fuckle one's way out
vsto fudge one's way out
  • Offensive
9.9

Avoid a difficult situation by lying or making excuses

is the standard expression without vulgar connotation, used for the same evasion

Antonyms

to take responsibility
193 3.3

To admit you caused a problem and accept the blame

to take charge
98 3.5

Start to control a group or situation and lead others

How Evasive

to fabricate
50 7.3
to weasel out
  • Informal
10 8.2
to fudge one's way out
  • Informal
9.1

Surface Forms

fudge one's way out infinitive
fudged one's way out past
fudged one's way out past participle
fudging one's way out present participle
fudges one's way out third person singular

Morphology

fudge + one's + way + out

The meaning is directly derivable from the parts: 'fudge' (to dodge or answer evasively) combined with 'one's way out' (a method of escaping) and the particle 'out' signaling escape, so the phrase literally describes escaping responsibility by evasive means. This verb + 'one's way out' construction is compositional and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Fudge one's way out may come from the picture of hiding a fault with soft, sticky fudge, as if someone spreads sweet fudge over a mistake to cover it up. That's why the phrase means 'to avoid responsibility or escape a difficult situation' by using small lies or tricks.