artful dodge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "artful dodge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clever or skillful evasion of a question or situation. Example: "During the debate, the candidate employed an artful dodge to avoid answering the controversial question directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The meaty stories in "Mortality" have more authority than Royle's postmodern flights of fancy — which are less art than artful dodge.

The New York Times - Books

The game, however, is an artful dodge.

The New Yorker

The snap prime-ministerial election he called last weekend was an artful dodge designed to exclude Binyamin Netanyahu, the Likud rival he defeated last year.

The Economist

Brusque and even dismissive at moments, but smiling all the while, he gave his questioners a stylized demonstration of the skill -- royal class -- of the artful dodge.

The New York Times

Or the novelist can try a knight's move into the absurd — as Littell has done in episodes like the narrator's odd encounter with Hitler — but it's ultimately just an artful dodge.

The New York Times - Books

The most artful dodge of Mr. Verniero's testimony came when he was asked whether he had been given any statistical analysis of stops by motorists by state troopers before April 1998 shooting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The artful dodging of emotion smacked of Art itself.

The New York Times - Arts

As profits rebound at many of these institutions, however, artful dodging becomes more disturbing.

The New York Times

But the Pakistani people have grown weary of his artful dodging.

The New York Times - Magazine

But did my artful dodging amount to something more deceitful than I would admit?

The New York Times

Pragmatism and artful dodging are not seen as flip-flopping here; they are savored far more than consistency and steadfastness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "artful dodge" to describe a deliberate act of avoiding a direct response or confrontation, often with a degree of cleverness or skill. It is appropriate when the subject is consciously evading a question or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "artful dodge" when describing simple mistakes or unintentional oversight. The phrase implies a deliberate and somewhat cunning attempt to evade, not a mere accident or lack of attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "artful dodge" functions as a noun phrase describing a clever or skillful act of evasion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "artful dodge" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a skillful act of evasion. As noted by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in contexts such as news and media, often carrying a neutral to slightly negative connotation of clever avoidance. While synonymous with terms like "clever evasion" or "skillful sidestep", it uniquely conveys a sense of deliberate maneuvering to avoid a direct response. When using "artful dodge", writers should ensure the context aligns with its intended meaning of a purposeful and skillful evasion, rather than a simple oversight or unintentional error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clever evasion

Emphasizes the intelligence and ingenuity used in avoiding something.

deft avoidance

Stresses the skill and precision in steering clear of something.

skillful sidestep

Highlights the dexterity and finesse involved in avoiding a topic or situation.

slick dodging

Emphasizes the smoothness and apparent ease of the avoidance.

adroit maneuver

Focuses on the clever and strategic nature of the avoidance.

ingenious evasion

Focuses on the creativity and originality of the method used to avoid.

cunning tactic

Implies a more strategic and possibly deceptive approach to avoidance.

astute circumvention

Highlights the cleverness and insight used to bypass an issue.

shrewd sidestepping

Implies a practical and astute approach to avoiding an issue or responsibility.

wily stratagem

Suggests a more cunning and manipulative scheme for evasion.

FAQs

How can I use "artful dodge" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politician employed an "artful dodge" to avoid answering the reporter's pointed question directly." This implies a deliberate evasion of a direct answer.

What does "artful dodge" imply about the person using it?

It suggests the person is being strategic and possibly evasive. They are not answering directly but rather skillfully avoiding the topic.

Which is more appropriate, "artful dodge" or "honest mistake"?

"Artful dodge" implies intent and skill in avoiding something, while "honest mistake" suggests an unintentional error. Use "artful dodge" when someone is purposefully evading a question or responsibility.

What are some situations where using an "artful dodge" might be considered unethical?

In contexts like legal testimony or political debates, using an "artful dodge" could be seen as misleading or dishonest, especially if it obscures important information.