to skirt

Examples

• All

• I mean, you keep skirting around the issue.

  Sylvia (2003)

• All the while, a whole generation of Swedes simply skirted the issue by never getting married in the first place.

  On the Basis of Sex (2018)

• If not, it can skirt any further environmental review.

• I hope this is in some kind of attempt to skirt the law.

  Koko (2021)

• Well, let's just skirt the issue, shall we?

  The World Is Not Enough (1999)

• You can't skirt issues by claiming they're not what you want to talk about.

  The Evil Within (2017)

• In this case, the prosecution skirted the issue of off-label marketing by emphasizing the misleading means that were used.

  Academic text (2016)

• Given the impression that only a few leftist militants are making trouble, this is tantamount to skirting the real issues involved.

  Harvard University

• She always manages to skirt around the topic whenever it comes up in conversation.

• In order to finish on time, they decided to skirt the usual procedures.

Synonyms

D

to dodge

vsto skirt

71 5.3

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

is the general avoidance act without stressing clever or cunning methods

D

to duck

vsto skirt

• Informal

63 6.8

To avoid doing something you are supposed to do

covers avoidance in general without emphasizing clever maneuvers

E

to evade

vsto skirt

29 3.9

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

is the simpler idea of shifting away from an issue rather than meeting it

S

to sidestep

vsto skirt

22 4.9

To avoid answering a question or dealing with a problem directly

focuses on the overall habit of dodging issues rather than answering them

F

to fudge

vsto skirt

10 7.7

To avoid giving a clear answer or decision

is the same avoidance but not limited to vagueness as the method

H

to hedge

vsto skirt

4 7.4

To avoid giving a direct answer or clear commitment

describes the general act of evading rather than the tactic of qualifying

S

to sidestep the issue

vsto skirt

2 6.0

To avoid answering a difficult question by changing the subject

is the general practice of sidestepping issues instead of confronting them

S

to skirt around the issue

vsto skirt

1 6.8

To avoid talking about a difficult subject by giving vague answers

is the broader act of evading an issue rather than facing it

S

to skate around

vsto skirt

1 7.0

Avoid facing a difficult subject directly

is the plain act of sidestepping rather than specifically using soft language

P

to parry

vsto skirt

1 8.1

To avoid answering a question by giving a vague answer

is broader avoidance that need not involve clever deflection tactics

Antonyms

F

to face

∞ 2.2

To deal with a difficult situation or person

C

to confront

336 4.1

Face someone directly in an angry or challenging way to accuse them

Idioms

C

to chase skirt

• Offensive

2 9.9

Try to have romantic or sexual relationships with many women, often not seriously

Phrasal Verbs

S

to skirt around the issue

1 6.8

To avoid talking about a difficult subject by giving vague answers

Compounds

G

grass skirt

5 4.2

A piece of clothing made from long grass worn for Pacific Island dances

F

full skirt

3 2.6

A long, wide skirt gathered at the waist that spreads out

S

skirt chaser

• Offensive

1 9.0

A man who often tries to attract many women in a showy way

B

ballet skirt

1 3.2

A very short, lightweight piece of clothing worn by ballerinas

G

gathered skirt

1 3.5

A skirt with fabric pulled together at the waist to make it full

H

hobble skirt

• Archaic

1 9.9

A long narrow skirt that fits tightly at the ankles and makes walking hard

S

skirt of tasses

• Archaic

9.9

A row of metal plates that hang below the waist to protect the hips and thighs

How Direct

to confront

285 4.4

to address

∞ 3.6

to skirt

23 6.8

to sidestep

22 4.9

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology