What it means
To cadge is to scrounge, blag, or cheekily beg something off someone, usually small favours like a fag, a quid, or a lift. It’s not always nasty, but it does imply you’re asking without much shame and maybe not planning to return the favour. Also used as a noun for the person who’s always at it, the classic serial cadger.
Usage examples
"Any chance I can cadge a lift to the station, mate? You’ve asked three times this week. I know, I’m skint. Cheers, you’re a legend."
"He is always trying to cadge a lift home after work, but never once offers to chip in for petrol."
"I managed to cadge a couple of spare tickets off a mate, so we got into the match for nothing."
"Got no Rizla left. Can I cadge a couple off you till I get to the shop?"
"Don’t invite Dan on a night out unless you fancy funding him all evening. Bloke will cadge drinks off everyone in the pub."
Where it comes from
Cadge comes from British English cadger. Back in earlier use, a cadger was a travelling hawker or petty dealer, someone going about selling bits and often asking around as part of the hustle. The sense drifted over time into scrounging or mooching, and cadge kept that cheeky, shameless little edge.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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