sidestep away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sidestep away" is not correct and is redundant in written English.
You can use it when trying to describe the action of avoiding something, but it would be clearer to use just "sidestep." Example: "He tried to sidestep away from the argument, hoping to avoid confrontation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Pressed by Meet the Press host David Gregory over whether he would like to "sidestep away" from Rove's comments or "double down", Priebus said: "It doesn't matter.

The Guardian

Every Night I Say a Prayer, released through the relaunched Trax Records for Record Store Day, is another sidestep away from the pop mainstream and comes with a brilliantly slinky remix from Tensnake, who surrounds the song with the soft patter of intricate drum claps and 80s-era synth lines.

The Guardian - Music

Instead, Romney will try to pivot to the future, talking about his vision for national healthcare, a sidestep away from his "Massachusetts miracle" and a set of ideas which he's actually been talking up for the last four years, when fewer people were paying attention.

Los Angeles Times

When your hair is overrun with hairspray and gel and it doesn't look very appealing, guys sidestep away.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The horse sidestepped away.

The New Yorker

And it was only one of the few times during the night that David sidestepped away from his own discography (the other time being much less traumatising, when he played Calvin Harris's "How Deep Is Your Love").

Vice

Existing somewhere between (and a sidestep or two away from) the full-touch HTC Touch Diamond and the HTC Touch Pro QWERTY slider is the S740, a non-touch, Windows Mobile 6.1 QWERTY slider.

TechCrunch

If you are more than three feet (1 metre) away, sidestep and run away in a zig-zag shape.

WikiHow

The forwards surged towards the Exeter 22, then the backs took up the running and Matt Hooper's long pass gave Charlie Walker the chance to sidestep Tom Johnson and stretch away to the corner.

Independent

"So you can't on the day you get back sovereignty decide you're going to sidestep or throw it away".

Huffington Post

As I tried to both sidestep her and lead Dennis away, his walking cane unfortunately hit her back, gently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using the single word "sidestep" instead of the phrase "sidestep away". This avoids potential redundancy and streamlines your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of using unnecessary words. The word "away" is often redundant after "sidestep", which already implies movement or avoidance. Using just "sidestep" provides a more concise and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sidestep away" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of evasion or avoidance. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the inclusion of "away" is often redundant, since the verb "sidestep" already implies movement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sidestep away" is understandable, it is often considered redundant. As Ludwig AI indicates, the verb "sidestep" already carries the connotation of moving away, making the addition of "away" unnecessary in most contexts. The phrase appears in news and general writing, but its usage isn't particularly common, and more concise alternatives like "sidestep", "step aside", or "move away", are often preferred for clarity and impact. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to whether the "away" adds any real value to the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

step aside

This is a simpler and more direct way of saying "sidestep away", focusing on the action of moving to the side.

move away

This phrase emphasizes the act of physical or metaphorical removal from a situation or topic.

avoid

A more general term for preventing something from happening or steering clear of it.

dodge

Implies a quick, evasive movement to avoid something, often unexpected.

steer clear of

This phrase advises to intentionally keep a distance from something or someone.

evade

Suggests skillfully escaping or avoiding something, often with cunning.

skirt around

Indicates avoiding the main point or issue, dealing with it indirectly.

circumvent

Means to find a way around an obstacle or rule.

deflect

Suggests turning something aside or preventing it from hitting you directly, often used metaphorically.

escape

Implies getting free from something that confines or threatens you.

FAQs

Is "sidestep away" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "sidestep away" appears in some contexts, it is often considered redundant. The verb "sidestep" already implies movement away from something, so adding "away" can be unnecessary.

What does "sidestep away" mean?

The phrase "sidestep away" means to avoid something by stepping to the side or evading an issue. However, using just "sidestep" is generally more concise.

What can I use instead of "sidestep away"?

Alternatives to "sidestep away" include "step aside", "move away", or simply "sidestep".

When is it appropriate to use "sidestep away"?

While not strictly incorrect, it's rarely necessary to use "sidestep away". In most cases, using just "sidestep" is clearer and more efficient. Consider rephrasing for improved conciseness.