Phrase guide

twist someone's arm

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: To apply torsion along the length of the arm of (a person).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To coerce, force, or cajole.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • They had to twist his arm, but they got him to join the project.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: painostaa — to coerce
  • Finnish: pakottaa — to coerce
  • French: forcer la main — to coerce