nudge

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nudge / nəj/ • v. [tr.] prod (someone) gently, typically with one's elbow, in order to draw their attention to something: people were nudging each other and pointing at me. ∎  touch or push (something) gently or gradually: the canoe nudged a bank of reeds. ∎ fig. coax or gently encourage (someone) to do something: we have to nudge the politicians in the right direction. ∎  approach (an age, figure, or level) very closely: both men were nudging fifty.• n. a light touch or push: he gave her shoulder a nudge | fig. she appreciated the nudge to her memory. PHRASES: nudge nudge (wink wink) used to draw attention to a sexual innuendo in the previous statement: haven't seen much of the beach—we've been catching up on our sleep (nudge nudge).DERIVATIVES: nudg·er n.