pussyfoot
Avoid taking sides
To pussyfoot is to move cautiously or stealthily, like a cat.
More often, it means to avoid committing to a position or speaking directly: Stop pussyfooting around and tell me what you really think.
A pussyfooter hedges and equivocates rather than stating things plainly.
Boundary of planted shrubs
- equivocateSpeak vaguely to mislead
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
- waffleGridded breakfast cake
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
evade · sidestep · skirt · fudge · sugarcoat · tiptoe around · beat around the bush · mince words
Walk on foot-fronts
hedge
Boundary of planted shrubs
- equivocateSpeak vaguely to mislead
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
- waffleGridded breakfast cake
dodge · evade · sidestep · skirt · fudge · sugarcoat · tiptoe around · beat around the bush · mince words · soften
tiptoe
Walk on foot-fronts
slink · prowl · pad · steal · sidle · ghost · glide · inch · edge
timid
Lacking courage or confidence
circumspect · careful · gingerly · discreet · cagey · noncommittal · reserved · chary · prudent · watchful
vacillate
Waver between choices
delay · procrastinate · falter · hem and haw · balk · temporize · dally · hang back · drag feet · shilly-shally
pussyfootspeak plainly
cut to the chase · speak one's mind · lay it on the line · tell it like it is · confront
pussyfoottake the plunge
Commit after hesitation
commit · take the bull by the horns · go for it · dive in · take action