Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to weasel into

to weasel into

1 8.5
To get into a place or group by being sly
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈwiːzəl ˈɪntuː/
  • Informal
translation icon : meterse en
  • Don't let her weasel her way into the project!
  • weaseled his way into

Examples

  • He tried to weasel into the meeting without an invitation.

  • He managed to weasel into the discussion by pretending to know the topic.

  • She tried to weasel into the exclusive event without an invitation.

  • They attempted to weasel into the restricted area but were quickly spotted by security.

  • After failing the interview, she tried to weasel into the company through her connections.

  • He managed to weasel into the private meeting by pretending to deliver documents.

  • She knew how to weasel into gatherings where important decisions were being made.

Synonyms

to infiltrate
vsto weasel into
127 7.4

To join a group in secret to get information or cause harm

is used for sly access without implying spying or harm
to sneak in
vsto weasel into
  • Informal
75 3.8

To go into a place quietly so no one notices

is about gaining access by sly means rather than only avoiding detection
to skeeze one's way into
vsto weasel into
  • Informal
9.9

To get into a place like a club by using fake friendliness or praise

is about secret or sly entry rather than using sleazy charm

How Sneaky

to worm
  • Informal
12 8.8
to weasel into
  • Informal
1 8.5
to sneak in
  • Informal
75 3.8
to slip out
39 3.8

Surface Forms

weasel into infinitive
weaseled into past
weaseled into past participle
weaseling into present participle
weasels into third person singular

Morphology

weasel + into

The meaning can be reasonably inferred from the constituents: if a learner knows 'weasel' (a deceitful/sly person) and 'into' (movement inside), they can deduce 'to get into something by sneaky or sly means.' However, this is a denominal, metaphorical extension (using an animal/person noun as a verb) and relies on pragmatic inference rather than fully regular compositional rules, so the relation is not completely predictable without exposure.

Etymology

Weasel into may come from the small animal weasel slipping into tiny holes. Imagine it quietly sliding through a gap into a room, so it means to get into a place or group by being 'sneaky' or 'without permission'.