evasive action

USAGE SUMMARY

"evasive action" is a commonly used term in written English.
It generally means taking steps to avoid or sidestep something, such as a problem or responsibility. For example, "When it became apparent that the store was liquidating, the owner chose to take evasive action by moving all the inventory to another location."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Many Jews did not take evasive action.

The New Yorker

He took no evasive action whatsoever.

The New York Times

All took evasive action to avoid the storm.

The Guardian

But once we understood I had to take evasive action".

The Guardian - Sport

After that, the Lions tighthead took evasive action, turning inwards.

The Guardian - Sport

At times I had to take evasive action.

The Guardian - Sport

But residents have been deft in taking evasive action.

The New York Times

It is not just Mr Peña who has been forced to take evasive action.

The Economist

Congress has a year to take evasive action before sequestration bites.

The Economist

Any competent terrorist planner must have already taken evasive action as best he could.

The New York Times

At his press conference, when he asked about the exile of S. he took evasive action.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evasive action" when describing deliberate steps taken to avoid a negative outcome, whether physical or figurative.

Common error

Avoid using "evasive action" for routine avoidance; reserve it for situations involving significant threat or complexity. Simply "avoiding" something is often sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evasive action" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "take evasive action"). As Ludwig AI explains, it generally denotes taking steps to sidestep a problem or responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evasive action" is a commonly used noun phrase denoting steps taken to avoid a threat or undesirable situation. As Ludwig AI points out, it signifies deliberately avoiding or sidestepping something. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While it's crucial to use "evasive action" when describing deliberate steps to avoid a negative outcome, be mindful of overusing it in simple avoidance scenarios. Alternatives like "avoidance maneuver" or "dodge" might be more appropriate in less complex situations. Ultimately, "evasive action" remains a valuable term for describing strategic avoidance in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoidance maneuver

Focuses on the specific act of maneuvering to avoid something, often implying a physical movement.

dodge

Emphasizes a quick or sudden movement to evade something.

circumvention tactic

Highlights the strategic aspect of bypassing an obstacle or rule.

sidestepping

Implies avoiding an issue or question without directly addressing it.

escape strategy

Focuses on planning and executing an escape from a difficult situation.

maneuver to evade

Highlights a planned and skillful movement to avoid a threat or problem.

avertive measure

Emphasizes taking proactive steps to prevent something undesirable from happening.

elusion technique

Focuses on using skillful methods to escape detection or capture.

deflection strategy

Highlights redirecting focus or blame away from oneself.

strategic withdrawal

Implies a planned retreat to avoid a potentially damaging confrontation.

FAQs

How to use "evasive action" in a sentence?

"Evasive action" is typically used to describe maneuvers or strategies taken to avoid a threat or undesirable situation. For example, "The pilot took "evasive action" to avoid the missile."

What can I say instead of "evasive action"?

You can use alternatives like "avoidance maneuver", "dodge", or "circumvention tactic" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "evasive action" or "evasive actions"?

"Evasive action" is generally used as a non-count noun, referring to the general concept. "Evasive actions" can be used to refer to specific instances of taking evasive measures, but is less common.

What's the difference between "evasive action" and "defensive maneuver"?

"Evasive action" focuses on avoiding something, while a "defensive maneuver" implies preparing to defend against something, even if avoidance is not possible. Evasive action aims to prevent contact; defensive maneuvers brace for it.