sidestep
Nimble avoidance maneuver
To sidestep is to step to the side, often to avoid an obstacle or collision.
This literal movement extends naturally to figurative uses: if you sidestep a question or controversy, you avoid addressing it directly.
The politician deftly sidestepped questions about the scandal.
A sidestep is the maneuver itself, whether physical or rhetorical.
Point of rotation
- swerveAbrupt directional change
- veerChange course suddenly
- sidleMove furtively sideways
- jukeDeceptive athletic sidestep
weave · shift · lateral · reposition · shuffle · navigate · maneuver · zigzag
Avoid by quick movement
- avoidStay away from
- evadeEscape by cunning
- bypassRoute that skirts obstacles
- skirtWaist-hung lower garment
elude · duck · deflect · parry · shirk · escape · outwit · feint
Turn from course
hedge · equivocate · defer · dismiss · redirect · spin · non-answer · waffle
Deceptive athletic sidestep
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- dummyLifelike substitute figure
- dribbleLeak in drops
- stepoverFeinting dribble technique
footwork · tackle · cutback · spin move · body swerve · fake out · shake off · wrong-foot
Quick and light-moving
- quickMoving with speed
- deftSkillful and quick
- light-footedMoving with minimal impact
- reflexesAutomatic physical responses
coordination · balance · athleticism · mobility · spry · graceful · reactive · fleet
pivot
Point of rotation
juke · weave · shift · lateral · reposition · shuffle · navigate · maneuver · zigzag · cut
dodge
Avoid by quick movement
skirt · elude · duck · deflect · parry · shirk · escape · outwit · feint · mislead
deflect
Turn from course
dodge · hedge · equivocate · defer · dismiss · redirect · spin · non-answer · waffle · stonewall
juke
Deceptive athletic sidestep
stepover · footwork · tackle · cutback · spin move · body swerve · fake out · shake off · wrong-foot · breakaway
nimble
Quick and light-moving
- quickMoving with speed
- deftSkillful and quick
- light-footedMoving with minimal impact
reflexes · coordination · balance · athleticism · mobility · spry · graceful · reactive · fleet · lithe
ballroom
Venue for formal dances
tango · swing · jive · quickstep · choreography · partner · rhythm · footwork · chassé · grapevine
sidestepadvance
Move or progress forward
step forward · charge · lunge · stand firm · hold ground