to sidestep

Examples

• All

• Thinking fast, Ace sidesteps Finkle and sends him headfirst into Snowflake's makeshift tank.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Why don't you just sidestep me like you did last time?

  Fly Me to the Moon (2024)

• You just sidestep every possible conversation about him.

  Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

• You don't get to that position without knowing how to sidestep some land mines.

  A Few Good Men (1992)

• There are, however, a series of strategies that students can employ to sidestep the humiliation of failure.

  Academic text (2009)

• Internet-assisted adoption of children can sidestep professional consideration of the child's best interest.

  Academic text (2010)

• It frustrates me when women sidestep an issue for the sake of politeness.

  The Makeover (2013)

• Similarly, JustAnswer makes lawyers available to answer questions submitted online, but it sidesteps UPL rules by answering only general questions.

  Academic text (2011)

• Such public pragmatic empiricism sidesteps talk about ultimate concerns, giving us reality-based policies while avoiding conflicts between worldviews.

  Academic text (2006)

• During the meeting, she chose to sidestep the controversial topic and focus on more positive issues.

Synonyms

B

to bypass

vsto sidestep

119 4.7

To avoid dealing with a problem by using a different method

is closer to a small evasive move rather than a full alternative route

G

to get around

vsto sidestep

115 4.2

Avoid doing something difficult or needed by finding a clever way

is like this but may be used for minor conversational avoidance too

G

to go around

vsto sidestep

76 3.5

Find another way to avoid a difficult rule or task

is similar but often means a brief, lateral avoidance rather than rerouting

D

to duck

vsto sidestep

• Informal

64 6.8

To avoid doing something you are supposed to do

is similar but can be less openly tricky and more subtle

C

to circumvent

vsto sidestep

45 7.7

To avoid a rule or problem by using clever tricks

is related but often implies a brief dodge rather than crafty bypassing

E

to evade

vsto sidestep

31 3.9

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

is like this but often stresses a small move aside rather than full escape

D

to dodge

vsto sidestep

25 5.3

To avoid answering a question or facing responsibility by giving unclear answers

is similar but sometimes implies less cunning and more simple avoidance

S

to skirt

vsto sidestep

19 6.8

To avoid dealing with a question or problem

is the same action but often stresses a slight evasive move

H

to hedge

vsto sidestep

17 7.4

To avoid giving a direct answer or clear commitment

focuses on moving aside from the issue rather than softening answers

F

to fudge

vsto sidestep

5 7.7

To avoid giving a clear answer or decision

is comparable but may involve moving aside from the issue rather than vagueness

P

to prevaricate

vsto sidestep

• Formal

3 9.1

To avoid giving a direct answer to hide the truth

is about avoiding the issue, not always about hiding the truth

P

to parry

vsto sidestep

2 8.1

To avoid answering a question by giving a vague answer

is similar but may be less sharp or strategic in the redirection

S

to skate around

vsto sidestep

1 7.0

Avoid facing a difficult subject directly

is similar but can apply to actions as well as speech

S

to skirt around the issue

vsto sidestep

1 6.8

To avoid talking about a difficult subject by giving vague answers

is similar but can be used for simpler, less charged situations

F

to fudge the issue

vsto sidestep

• Informal

8.4

To avoid answering a question directly by being unclear

is similar but can mean a short physical or verbal move aside as well

D

to deflect the conversation

vsto sidestep

7.0

To change the topic on purpose to avoid a subject

is similar but can simply avoid the matter without changing subject

P

to push under the carpet

vsto sidestep

• UK

7.3

To ignore or hide problems instead of dealing with them

avoids the problem too but often by a small evasive move rather than concealment

Antonyms

C

to confront

359 4.4

Face a difficult problem or fear directly and bravely

Phrasal Verbs

S

to sidestep the issue

1 6.0

To avoid answering a difficult question by changing the subject

S

to sidestep the controversy

1 6.8

To avoid talking about a controversial issue on purpose

How Direct

to address

∞ 3.6

to sidestep

15 4.9

to avoid

∞ 1.0

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology