thin end of the wedge

thin end of the wedge
Something that if allowed or accepted to a small degree would lead to systematic encroachment.

The MP told parliament that legalising cannabis would be the thin end of the wedge.


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  • thin end of the wedge —    The thin end of the wedge is something small and seemingly unimportant that will lead to something much bigger and more serious.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    To refer to an event or action as the thin end of the wedge means that it… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • thin end of the wedge — The thin end of the wedge is something small and seemingly unimportant that will lead to something much bigger and more serious …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • Thin end of the wedge —   The thin end of the wedge is something small and seemingly unimportant that will lead to something much bigger and more serious …   Dictionary of English idioms

  • (the) thin end of the wedge — the thin end of the wedge phrase something that is not important by itself but will have serious, usually bad, effects in the future If we bend the rules for him this time, it will be the thin end of the wedge. Thesaurus: small and minor… …   Useful english dictionary

  • the thin end of the wedge — Brit : the beginning of something that will become more serious, unpleasant, etc. The bank s decision to raise rates could be the thin end of the wedge. [=many other banks may also decide to raise rates] • • • Main Entry: ↑thin the …   Useful english dictionary

  • the thin end of the wedge — UK ► something that is not very harmful in itself but that will be the start of a harmful development: »The introduction of a fee for the service has been described as the thin end of the wedge by union leaders. Main Entry: ↑thin …   Financial and business terms

  • the thin end of the wedge — ► the thin end of the wedge informal an action of little importance in itself but likely to lead to more serious developments. Main Entry: ↑wedge …   English terms dictionary

  • (the) thin end of the wedge — British & Australian the start of a harmful development. There are those who see the closure of the hospital as the thin end of the wedge …   New idioms dictionary

  • the thin end of the wedge — something that is not important by itself but will have serious, usually bad, effects in the future If we bend the rules for him this time, it will be the thin end of the wedge …   English dictionary

  • thin end of the wedge — I see wedge II informal an action or procedure of little importance in itself, but likely to lead to more serious developments …   Useful english dictionary

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