sidestep issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sidestep issues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of avoiding or evading certain problems or topics in a conversation or situation. Example: "During the meeting, he chose to sidestep issues related to budget cuts, focusing instead on future projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But the random selection of friends to show to users in the "social" message - some close friends, some only peripheral - should sidestep issues of homophily, Prof Fowler explained.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And polite, too, was the Catalan's way of sidestepping issues over the personalities and players he has inherited and has yet to strike a rapport with.

The New York Times - Sports

Anthropomorphic dogs serve as protagonists instead of children, a strategy that works well since animal characters always expand the range of potential identification by sidestepping issues of race, age, looks and even gender.

The New York Times - Books

The use of HRBECs sidesteps issues of interspecies variation by testing cells from at-risk humans and bypasses issues of dose, route of delivery and metabolism by examining the effects of XE concentrations found in human tissues and body fluids (27, 28).

Carcinogenesis

If we do not carefully consider these issues, we are at the danger of giving our future healthcare professionals 'surface professionalism' which ' sidesteps issues of identity and treats professionalism as something physicians can put on and take off like one's stethoscope' [ 19].

BMC Medical Education

Though the show celebrates Carlebach's Pied Piper appeal and his openhearted philosophy, it does not sidestep contentious issues.

The New York Times

For the most part they managed to sidestep combustible issues and ignore raging hostility from average Mexicans.

The New York Times

This article originally aPassaro on VICE US.

Vice

In general, DNA from a test strain is co-hybridised with differently labelled DNA from a reference strain in order to sidestep these issues in microarray analysis.

BMC Genomics

This cuts down significantly on cost and can sidestep dietary issues.

WikiHow

The academy is doing its best to sidestep the issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sidestep issues" when you want to convey a strategic avoidance of problems or sensitive topics, especially in situations where direct confrontation is undesirable or unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid using "sidestep issues" when the situation calls for direct problem-solving. "Sidestepping" implies a deliberate choice to avoid, while ignoring suggests negligence or a lack of awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sidestep issues" functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of avoiding or evading certain problems or topics. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sidestep issues" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes the act of avoiding or evading problems or sensitive topics. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. While it's often employed in news and media, its usage extends across various contexts, including science, business, and general discussions. When using this phrase, consider the strategic implications of avoiding direct engagement, and be mindful of situations where direct problem-solving might be more appropriate. Alternatives like "avoid problems", "evade the problems", and "skirt the issues" offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid problems

Focuses on avoiding the problems themselves, rather than strategically evading them.

evade the problems

Emphasizes escaping or avoiding the problems, often with a connotation of cleverness or কৌশল.

skirt the issues

Suggests a light or indirect approach to avoiding issues.

dodge the issues

Implies quickly moving aside to avoid direct engagement.

bypass the problems

Highlights going around the problems without directly addressing them.

circumvent difficulties

Focuses on using strategy or ingenuity to overcome or avoid difficulties.

evade contentious matters

Specifies the avoidance of subjects likely to cause disagreement or argument.

gloss over problems

Implies superficially covering up or minimizing problems.

sweep issues under the rug

Suggests concealing problems rather than addressing them openly.

duck sensitive questions

Refers to avoiding questions that might reveal uncomfortable truths or create conflict.

FAQs

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

You can use "sidestep issues" to describe avoiding certain topics or problems. For example, "The politician chose to "sidestep issues" related to the economy during the debate".

What are some alternatives to "sidestep issues"?

Alternatives include "avoid problems", "evade the problems", or "skirt the issues", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "sidestep issues" or address them directly?

Whether to "sidestep issues" or address them directly depends on the context. Sometimes, avoiding certain topics can be strategic, while other situations require a more confrontational approach.

What's the difference between "sidestep issues" and "ignore issues"?

"Sidestepping issues" implies a deliberate and strategic avoidance, while "ignoring issues" suggests a lack of attention or awareness. The former is a conscious choice, whereas the latter may be unintentional.