thin edge of the wedge

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A minor change that begins a major development, especially an undesirable one. For example, First they asked me to postpone my vacation for a week, and then for a month; it's the thin edge of the wedge and pretty soon it'll be a year. This term alludes to the narrow wedge inserted into a log for splitting wood. [Mid-1800s]

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Words nearby thin edge of the wedge

Thimphu, thin, thin as a rail, thin client, thine, thin edge of the wedge, thin film, thing, thingamabob, thingamajig, T hinge

How to use thin edge of the wedge in a sentence

Not to be left behind, progressives in neighboring Wisconsin clamored to join the cutting edge of public health.
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France 24 is providing live, round-the-clock coverage of both scenes as they progress.
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Sands was involved in a scandalous-for-the-time romance with the carpenter and there were rumors she was pregnant with his child.
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French officials were already on edge after a series of apparently unconnected attacks, including the stabbing of police officers.
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Three on-the-record stories from a family: a mother and her daughters who came from Phoenix.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This has a warm though a thin soil, which must be highly favorable to the Vine to induce so exclusive a devotion to it.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Sleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his Will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
After a bit of waiting, Mac decided that the smoke was floating from a certain direction, and we began to edge carefully that way.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
The Princess was pale and thin; and, though dressed superbly, seemed fitter for her chamber.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Her thin and narrow hands held the balcony railing rather tightly.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens