shying away from
Keeping one's distance
Shying away from is avoiding something out of nervousness, reluctance, or distaste.
The image is of a horse shying—startling and pulling back from a perceived threat.
People shy away from confrontation, commitment, or difficult topics: She's been shying away from the subject of money.
The phrase suggests instinctive recoil rather than deliberate refusal.
- eschewingDeliberately avoiding something
- evadingSkillfully keeping away from
- avoidantInclined to evade
- dodgingAvoiding by moving aside
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
recoiling · turning tail · reluctant · balking · shrinking · withdrawing · reticent · hesitant · getting cold feet · sidestepping · tiptoeing around · ducking out · disinclination · apprehensive · indecision · gun-shy · running scared · unease
boldness vs. timidity
shying away fromconfronting
Addressing directly
facing · tackling · taking on · standing up to · braving