to dodge

Examples

• All

• "Talk to Mommy about it later," I say, trying to dodge the whole issue.

  Fiction book (1996)

• It feels a bit crazy that anyone should have to say this, but if you've built a chaos factory, you can't dodge responsibility for the chaos.

  Stanford

• Do you always dodge this many questions?

  Coyote Ugly (2000)

• People trying to dodge their National Service.

  Let Him Have It (1991)

• Seriously, don't dodge the question.

  Step Sisters (2018)

• And don't dodge the question.

  The Dunning Man (2017)

• I have had it with them dodging the issues that affect most Americans.

  I've Had It

• I mean, in my opinion, you're slightly dodging the question here.

• Your burden-shifting efforts are simply a transparent attempt to dodge a debate you know you can't win.

  Blog text (6)

• You came to Canada to dodge the draft, didn’t you?

  No Maps for These Territories (2000)

Synonyms

D

to deflect

vsto dodge

76 4.6

To turn attention away from a person or thing

is focused on personal evasive action and cunning avoidance rather than diversion

D

to duck

vsto dodge

• Informal

64 6.8

To avoid doing something you are supposed to do

matches closely but stresses slyness in avoiding answers or obligations

C

to circumvent

vsto dodge

45 7.7

To avoid a rule or problem by using clever tricks

is about avoiding answers or duties, not only bypassing rules or barriers

S

to stonewall

vsto dodge

• Literature

42 7.8

Refuse to answer questions to delay or block progress

is similar but often implies quicker evasive moves when dodging duties or questions

E

to evade

vsto dodge

31 3.9

To avoid doing something you should do, for example a duty or a direct question

is more about being specifically evasive or cunning when answering or acting

W

to weasel

vsto dodge

• Informal

21 8.0

To avoid responsibility by acting in a sneaky or dishonest way

is similar but often used for evasive replies and cunning avoidance of duties

S

to skirt

vsto dodge

19 6.8

To avoid dealing with a question or problem

is more about cunning or evasive tactics when answering duties

H

to hedge

vsto dodge

17 7.4

To avoid giving a direct answer or clear commitment

is similar but stresses cunning avoidance of duties as well as answers

S

to sidestep

vsto dodge

15 4.9

To avoid answering a question or dealing with a problem directly

adds a stronger sense of deliberate evasiveness and cunning in replies

W

to weasel out

vsto dodge

• Informal

10 8.2

To avoid doing something you should do by being dishonest or tricky

is narrower, stressing evasion of questions and duties rather than acts generally

F

to fudge

vsto dodge

5 7.7

To avoid giving a clear answer or decision

is alike but can include more active trickery when avoiding obligations

P

to prevaricate

vsto dodge

• Formal

3 9.1

To avoid giving a direct answer to hide the truth

is more general, covering cunning evasion of duties and answers alike

W

to wiggle out of

vsto dodge

• Informal

2 7.0

Avoid a duty or problem by making excuses

focuses more on evasive replies or avoiding direct answers

P

to parry

vsto dodge

2 8.1

To avoid answering a question by giving a vague answer

is similar but covers broader evasive behaviour beyond clever deflection

S

to sidestep the issue

vsto dodge

1 6.0

To avoid answering a difficult question by changing the subject

is broader, covering evasive replies and avoidance of responsibilities too

F

to fudge the issue

vsto dodge

• Informal

8.4

To avoid answering a question directly by being unclear

is broader, applying to many kinds of evasive or cunning avoidance

F

to fudge one's way out

vsto dodge

• Informal

9.1

To avoid taking responsibility by lying or being vague

is similar but more tied to avoiding questions and duties specifically

D

to duck and dive

vsto dodge

• UK

8.4

To move quickly and skillfully to avoid things or difficult problems

focuses more on clever verbal or duty avoidance rather than physical agility

Antonyms

A

to address

∞ 3.6

To deal with a subject in speech or writing

C

to confront

359 4.4

Face a difficult problem or fear directly and bravely

Idioms

D

to dodge a bullet

• Informal

22 6.4

Avoid a very bad or dangerous situation at the last moment

G

to get out of Dodge

• Informal

7 9.2

Leave a place quickly to avoid trouble or danger

Phrasal Verbs

D

to dodge the traffic

1 3.6

Avoid heavy traffic by taking a different route

D

to dodge the raindrops

7.3

To avoid getting wet in the rain by moving quickly between covered places

Compounds

T

tax dodge

1 8.0

An illegal way to avoid paying taxes

How Evasive

to stonewall

• Literature

42 7.8

to evade

31 3.9

to dodge

25 5.3

to sidestep

15 4.9

to avoid

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology