ducking and diving
Avoiding through agility
Ducking and diving means evading responsibilities, questions, or commitments through evasive maneuvers—bobbing away from whatever's coming at you.
The phrase evokes a boxer's defensive moves.
Primarily British: He's been ducking and diving to avoid paying his debts.
It can also suggest resourceful, slightly shady maneuvering to get by: She made a living ducking and diving in the market.
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
- bob and weaveEvasive fighting movement
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- bluffCalculated false front
- fast talkGlib, manipulative speech
hustle · fly by night · swerve · slip through the cracks · exploit · negotiate · work the room · scheme · play the angles · charm · wheeler-dealer · wheel and deal · manipulate · cut corners · shimmy · crouch · outwit · connive
ducking and divingstraightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
honest · upfront · direct · plain-dealing · transparent
ducking and divingtackling
Forcefully stopping an opponent
standing one's ground · grasping the nettle · taking the bull by the horns · facing the music · engaging
ducking and divingdependable
Worthy of trust
reliable · consistent · steadfast · principled · trustworthy