sidestep a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"sidestep a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you are avoiding, circumventing, or trying to work around a problem. For example: "We need to come up with a creative solution to sidestep this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The reasoning about chains helped Lewis sidestep a problem that many thought unavoidable for a counterfactual theory of causation, namely the problem of pre-empting causes.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

By bonding with Ms. Dion, Chrysler executives hope to sidestep a common problem for automakers trying to overhaul their products.

The New York Times

These are fail-safe points in discussions of artistic freedom, and they sidestep a foundational problem: the decision to make art without regard for the lives involved, and no matter the consequences.

The New Yorker

I agree that breaking the silence is valuable (I long thought President Obama's climate sidesteps were a problem).

The New York Times

By asking the artists to paint the walls, loose and fast, Ms. Markonish has sidestepped a perennial problem of showing graffiti art in museums, where it can lose much of its authenticity and immediacy when transferred to a support, hauled into a gallery and hung under lights like a regular artwork.

The New York Times

To sidestep this problem, a group at St . Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, one of the WHO collaborating centers, using a technique called reverse genetics.

Science Magazine

Building a small reactor is an attempt to sidestep that problem, but "it's still going to boil down to money and the relative cost of these things," which is unknown at present since no one has built one yet.

The New York Times

Graham J. Hutchings of Cardiff (Wales Universityy and colleagues, however, devised a way to sidestep that problem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the light of the failure of such analytical-style definitions it is tempting to try to sidestep the problem of providing a theoretical account of the concept of corruption by simply identifying corruption with specific legal and/or moral offences.

SEP

New research, led by psychologist Joshua Jackson of Washington University in St . Louis may have found a way to sidestep this problem.

Huffington Post

Several groups sidestep this problem by sequencing a reference genome alongside their target genome [11] [13].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use precise language: determine if the nuance you want to communicate is closer to "avoid", "circumvent", or "mitigate", each of which carries subtle but important distinctions.

Common error

While "sidestep a problem" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound evasive. In professional or academic contexts, prefer more direct language like "address" or "resolve" the problem to convey a sense of responsibility and thoroughness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sidestep a problem" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of avoiding or circumventing a difficulty. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and commonly used to suggest avoiding a direct confrontation with an issue by finding an alternative approach.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sidestep a problem" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that describes the act of avoiding a direct confrontation with a difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in various contexts, although its overuse in formal writing should be avoided. The phrase's neutral register makes it applicable across news, science, and general discussions. Alternatives such as "avoid the issue" or "circumvent the problem" offer similar meanings with slight nuances that may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid the issue

Focuses on avoidance more directly.

circumvent the problem

Emphasizes finding a way around the problem.

evade the difficulty

Highlights escaping the challenging aspect.

dodge the problem

Suggests a quick, evasive maneuver.

work around the obstacle

Focuses on finding a different path.

bypass the challenge

Implies going around something directly in your path.

skirt the issue

Indicates avoiding direct engagement.

navigate around the difficulty

Emphasizes maneuvering to avoid problems.

find an alternative solution

Focuses on discovering a different way to tackle issue.

mitigate the problem

Focuses on alleviating severity of the problem without necessarily avoiding it.

FAQs

How can I use "sidestep a problem" in a sentence?

You can use "sidestep a problem" to indicate that you're avoiding direct confrontation with an issue. For example, "The company chose to "sidestep the problem" by offering early retirement packages".

What can I say instead of "sidestep a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid the issue", "circumvent the problem", or "bypass the challenge depending on the context.

Is it better to "address a problem" or "sidestep a problem"?

It depends on the situation. "Address a problem" implies directly confronting and resolving the issue, while "sidestep a problem" suggests avoiding it, often by finding an alternative route or solution. Addressing is often preferable in formal contexts, but sidestepping can be useful when direct confrontation is not feasible or desirable.

What's the difference between "sidestep a problem" and "solve a problem"?

"Sidestep a problem" implies avoiding direct engagement with the core issue, often by finding an alternative or workaround. "Solve a problem" means directly addressing and resolving the root cause of the issue.