to sidestep the controversy
1
6.8
- phrasal verb
- /ˈsaɪdˌstɛp ðə ˌkɒn.troˈvɜːr.si/
:
evitar la controversia
- In her speech, the candidate chose to sidestep the controversy surrounding her opponent's policies.
Examples
-
The word topolect is a great way to avoid giving this impression while sidestepping the fraught controversy.
Blog text (5) -
The word topolect is a great way to avoid giving this impression while sidestepping the fraught controversy.
Blog text (5) -
The manager decided to sidestep the controversy by focusing on the team's accomplishments instead.
-
Rather than engage with the heated debate, he opted to sidestep the controversy and address more pressing issues.
Synonyms
56
3.8
To avoid getting involved in an argument or fight
15
4.9
To avoid answering a question or dealing with a problem directly
6
5.2
To make people look at something else to avoid criticism
1
6.0
To avoid answering a difficult question by changing the subject
1
7.0
Avoid facing a difficult subject directly
1
6.8
To avoid talking about a difficult subject by giving vague answers
To change the topic on purpose to avoid a subject
Treat a problem as less important to avoid dealing with it
To stop talking about a subject
Antonyms
How Direct
- US
1
8.5
1
6.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
sidestep + the + controversy
The meaning is directly compositional: 'sidestep' means to dodge or evade and 'controversy' denotes a disputed issue, so the sense 'avoid engaging with a controversial issue' is inferable from the parts. The definite article doesn't change the semantics, and similar constructions exist in other languages, making this readily understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
Sidestep the controversy comes from the picture of stepping to the side to avoid an obstacle: sidestep means to move aside and controversy means a public argument or heated issue. So, when someone sidesteps the controversy, they 'avoid' taking part in or talking about that argument.