take evasive action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take evasive action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is faced with an urgent situation or danger that requires quick action in order to avoid it. For example: "When it became apparent that the thief had a weapon, the security guard had to take evasive action to protect himself and the other people in the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many Jews did not take evasive action.

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian - Sport

At times I had to take evasive action.

The Guardian - Sport

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

Having failed to take evasive action, he showed no bottom line once lured into negotiation.

The Economist

Human truck-drivers, by contrast, regularly have to take evasive action.

The Economist

If the echo suggests something hawk or rock-shaped, bats and submarines take evasive action.

The Economist

When the bat sounds are heard, the moths take evasive action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pilot had to take evasive action but the drone got within 10ft.

The Guardian - Tech

If we knew we could take evasive action, but not knowing leaves us paralysed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a quick reaction to a dangerous situation, use "take evasive action" to clearly convey the immediacy and importance of the response.

Common error

Avoid using "take evasive action" when the intended meaning is to be deliberately misleading or untruthful. The phrase refers to avoiding danger, not avoiding honesty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take evasive action" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a response to a perceived threat or danger. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its widespread use to describe a deliberate attempt to avoid a negative outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take evasive action" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a proactive response to avoid a perceived threat. According to Ludwig, it appears most often in news and media, reflecting its relevance to real-time events requiring decisive action. While suitable for formal contexts, writers should ensure the intent is to avoid danger, not to deceive. Alternatives like "implement defensive measures" and "maneuver to avoid" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evade the threat

Highlights the act of escaping or eluding a specific danger.

dodge an impending threat

Conveys a sense of narrowly escaping a looming danger.

maneuver to avoid

Emphasizes skillful movement to escape a collision or negative impact.

steer clear of danger

Simple and direct way of saying to avoid dangerous or unpleasant situations.

take precautionary steps

Focuses on proactive measures taken before a potential threat manifests.

implement defensive measures

Emphasizes the active deployment of safeguards to protect oneself.

adopt avoidance strategies

Highlights the implementation of planned methods to steer clear of danger.

circumvent the problem

Focuses on finding a way around an obstacle or challenge.

take shield

Short and concise, implying immediate protection.

sidestep the issue

Suggests avoiding direct engagement with a problematic situation.

FAQs

How can I use "take evasive action" in a sentence?

You can use "take evasive action" to describe responding quickly to avoid a threat or danger. For example: "The pilot had to "take evasive action" to avoid a collision."

What are some alternatives to "take evasive action"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "dodge an impending threat", "implement defensive measures", or "maneuver to avoid" as alternatives to "take evasive action".

Is it appropriate to use "take evasive action" in formal writing?

Yes, "take evasive action" is suitable for formal writing, especially in contexts involving safety, security, or strategic planning. It clearly conveys the idea of avoiding a negative outcome.

What does "take evasive action" imply about the situation?

It implies that there is an imminent threat or danger requiring a quick and decisive response to avoid harm or a negative consequence.