thin end of the wedge: meaning & examples

Open in app

Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    UKUSGlobalinformalidiomaticcautionary
    • A small, initial action or concession that is likely to lead to larger, undesirable consequences; the first step in a slippery-slope sequence of events.
    • A seemingly minor change that sets a precedent for more significant or problematic developments.

    Examples

    Beta

    • Allowing students to skip homework might be the thin end of the wedge leading to a decline in discipline.

      Allowing students to skip homework is a small initial action likely to lead to larger undesirable consequences.

    • Cutting corners on safety is the thin end of the wedge that could result in serious accidents.

      Cutting corners on safety is a small first step that likely leads to bigger problems.

    • Once they start censoring the media, it will be the thin end of the wedge for freedom of speech.

      Once media censorship begins, it will be a small initial action likely to cause larger undesirable effects on free speech.

Examples:

  • EN: Oh, well anyway he kissed you, the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: Bueno, el caso es que te ha besado, por algo se empieza.
  • EN: - Yes, is the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: - Sí, es la punta del iceberg.
  • EN: - with the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: - …con la ayuda que le ofrecemos.
  • EN: The thin end of the wedge.
    ES: La punta final de la cuña.
    ES: Solo falta que los políticos puedan despedirnos por incompetentes. Eso ya es rizar el rizo.
  • EN: Once they accept the principle that senior civil servants can be removed for incompetence, that would be thin end of the wedge.
    ES: Una vez acepten la destitución de funcionarios por incompetencia, las consecuencias serian terribles.
  • EN: The thin end of the wedge!
    ES: Es la gota que colma el vaso.
  • EN: It's the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: - Será la gota que colme el vaso.
    ES: Puede tener graves consecuencias.
    ES: Es tan solo la punta del iceberg.
  • EN: It抯 democratic. it抯 the thin end of the wedge!
    ES: - Es democrático. - ¡Puede tener consecuencias graves!
  • EN: This Marriott scheme is the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: El proyecto Marriott es como una punta de lanza.
  • EN: It's the thin end of the wedge, Mr Disraeli.
    ES: Es el principio de algo peor, Sr. Disraelí.
  • EN: The further back you went, in a way it kind of was like you were getting to the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: Entre más regresabas, de alguna forma era como si estuvieras llegando a la punta de la punta.
  • EN: That's the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: Esto es solo el principio.
  • EN: Critchley Gardens is the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: Critchel Gardens es el terreno pantanoso.
  • EN: I'm warning you, Louisa, if you cuddle that baby, it's the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: Te lo advierto, Louisa, si abrazas a ese bebé es el principio de algo peor.
  • EN: "The thin end of the wedge."
    ES: "Quien roba un huevo, acaba matando a un abuelo."
  • EN: Oh, well anyway he kissed you, the thin end of the wedge.
    ES: Bueno, el caso es que te ha besado, por algo se empieza.

Related Idioms

Validation Count: 0

Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

thin end of the wedge | Idiomator