sidestep
verbEtymology From side + step.
1
To step to the side.
- I […] knocked and waited. […] He sidestepped, and I went in.1955 October, Rex Stout, “Die Like a Dog”, in Three Witnesses, Bantam, published 1994, →ISBN, page 180:
- Kilmarnock ought to have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time when Hefferman set up Kroca and, although the defender neatly sidestepped his marker, he fired straight into the chest of Enckelman.2011 October 1, Clive Lindsay, “Kilmarnock 1 - 2 St Johnstone”, in BBC Sport:
2
Figuratively To avoid or dodge.
- They sidestepped the issue.
- It was noticeable that he sidestepped questions about continuation south of Crewe, on the grounds that he must await the report of Sir Ivan Stedeford's Advisory Group.1960 November 23, “Talking of Trains: That engine change at Crewe”, in Trains Illustrated, page 641:
1 more example
- Adams repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether the Justice Department is taking specific steps to seize assets belonging to Putin but suggested that prosecutors have mapped out how the Russian President and wealthy kleptocrats are attempting to hide their money.2022 May 5, Kara Scannell and Zachary Cohen, “DOJ unwinds complex web in hunt for Russian wealth belonging to Putin and influential players”, in CNN:
- Derived terms
- sidestepper