Try Our Apps
Dictionary.com

follow Dictionary.com

Famous Last Words

arm-twisting

or armtwisting

[ahrm-twis-ting] /ˈɑrmˌtwɪs tɪŋ/
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
noun
1.
the use of threat, coercion, or other forms of pressure and persuasion to achieve one's purpose:
It took a lot of arm-twisting but he finally agreed to work this weekend.
Origin of arm-twisting
1945-1950
First recorded in 1945-50

arm-twist

[ahrm-twist] /ˈɑrmˌtwɪst/
verb (used with object)
1.
to subject to arm-twisting:
The unions arm-twisted the government into negotiating by threatening widespread strikes.
Origin
back formation from arm-twisting
Related forms
arm-twister, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
Cite This Source
Examples from the Web for arm-twisting
Contemporary Examples
Historical Examples

  • Dare say he deserved what Dreer was giving him, although I don't believe in arm-twisting.

    Left Tackle Thayer Ralph Henry Barbour
Slang definitions & phrases for arm-twisting

arm-twisting

noun

Extremely strong persuasion: With some arm-twisting, she went to the party

The Dictionary of American Slang, Fourth Edition by Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD. and Robert L. Chapman, Ph.D.
Copyright (C) 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers.
Cite This Source

Word of the Day

Difficulty index for arm-twisting

Few English speakers likely know this word

Word Value for arm

5
6
Scrabble Words With Friends

Related Word

Nearby words for arm-twisting

Heartbreak