dodge the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dodge the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to avoiding or evading a particular issue or challenge instead of addressing it directly. Example: "Instead of finding a solution, he chose to dodge the problem and hope it would go away on its own."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mahroof Husain, the borough councilor in charge of "community cohesion," did not dodge the problem.

The New York Times

I didn't say, what you're doing bothers me, we need to talk; I figured out ways to dodge the problem so we didn't have to talk.

The New York Times

Dante is full of cruces and conundrums for translators, and he's going to dodge the problem of how to translate the neologism "trasumanar" in canto 1 of Paradiso (to go beyond the human, roughly; Dante coins the neologism precisely because the concept is inexpressible in language) then he will not be the first person to have done so.

The Guardian - Books

Provinces like Manitoba, Quebec and Newfoundland are almost entirely powered by hydroelectric dams, meaning they could dodge the problem of increased emissions from weed cultivation and perhaps present a lucrative opportunity for investors once the nationally mandated carbon price kicks in.

Vice

One way to dodge the problem of personal involvement is to mentally rethink the arguments without the term 'God'.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Governments have dodged the problem.

The Economist

Those who try to account for its stature as a film by claiming it to be profound are simply dodging the problem — or maybe they don't recognize that there is one.

The New Yorker

In his great essay "Style and Medium in the Motion Pictures," the art historian Erwin Panofsky wrote of art in the movies that "to pre-stylize reality prior to tackling it amounts to dodging the problem.

The New Yorker

On "The Daily Show," Jon Stewart hailed Marco Rubio as "Charisma Boy," saying it was good that Marco had dodged the problem of being Mitt's running mate because, if he wins, "it would have been uncomfortable for you to run against him in 2016".

The New York Times

Household International has dodged the problems that have felled many other lenders to people with poor credit and low incomes.

The New York Times

It might also provide the U.S. government or private individuals with a way to dodge the ransom problem.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dodge the problem", ensure that the context clearly indicates the avoidance of a significant issue rather than a minor inconvenience. For instance, "The company tried to dodge the problem of declining sales by cutting costs instead of innovating".

Common error

Avoid using "dodge the problem" when the intent is to actively solve an issue indirectly. "Dodging" implies evasion, not indirect problem-solving. Use alternative phrases like "address indirectly" or "mitigate" to accurately convey active but indirect efforts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dodge the problem" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe someone's action of avoiding or evading a specific issue or challenge. Ludwig's examples show it in contexts where direct confrontation or resolution is intentionally avoided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dodge the problem" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of avoiding or evading an issue, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears across news and media sources and in wiki contexts. Alternatives include "evade the problem" and "sidestep the problem". When writing, use this phrase when highlighting a deliberate avoidance of a difficult situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evade the problem

Synonymous; implies skillful or strategic avoidance.

evade the issue

Similar to 'evade the problem', focusing on the issue rather than the broader problem.

avoid the problem

A more general term for keeping away from the problem.

duck the issue

Informal way of saying to avoid the problem.

sidestep the problem

Suggests moving to the side to avoid direct confrontation.

skirt the issue

Implies avoiding the central point of a problem.

circumvent the problem

Suggests finding a way around the problem without directly addressing it.

shirk responsibility

Focuses on avoiding the responsibility related to the problem.

gloss over the problem

Suggests superficially addressing a problem to minimize its importance.

look the other way

Implies ignoring the problem completely.

FAQs

What does it mean to "dodge the problem"?

To "dodge the problem" means to avoid dealing with it directly, often by finding ways to evade or circumvent it.

How can I use "dodge the problem" in a sentence?

You might say, "Instead of facing the budget deficit, the government chose to "dodge the problem" with short-term solutions."

What can I say instead of "dodge the problem"?

You can use alternatives like "evade the issue", "avoid the problem", or "sidestep the problem" depending on the context.

Is "dodge the problem" a formal expression?

"Dodge the problem" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal settings, alternatives like "evade the issue" might be more appropriate.