to sidestep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to sidestep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to avoiding or evading a particular issue, question, or responsibility. Example: "During the meeting, he tried to sidestep the difficult questions about the project's budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Wilson knew how to sidestep that problem.

The New York Times

Some try to sidestep him completely.

The New York Times - Sports

It suits him to sidestep categorisation.

The Guardian

"So I tried to sidestep the invisible guy.

The New York Times - Sports

Today, scholars tend to sidestep the question of cause.

The New Yorker

The academy is doing its best to sidestep the issue.

The New York Times

But now they are starting to sidestep the middleman.

The New York Times

The new bill was designed to sidestep the court's ruling.

The Economist

But Ripa allows the police to sidestep these safeguards.

Independent

"New York's lawsuit is an attempt to sidestep these agreements".

The New York Times

Mr Brownback should be able to sidestep that trap.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to sidestep" when you want to convey a sense of skillful avoidance, especially in situations involving problems, issues, or rules. It implies a deliberate act to move away from something undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "to sidestep" when you simply mean to disregard or ignore something. "To sidestep" suggests a more active and strategic form of avoidance, not passive neglect. If there's no element of maneuvering or evasion, a simpler word like "ignore" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to sidestep" functions as an infinitive, typically used as a verb to describe the act of avoiding something, often a problem or difficult situation. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage, confirming its active role in sentence construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to sidestep" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive that signifies the act of avoiding or evading something, particularly issues or problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and business, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary. When writing, remember to reserve "to sidestep" for situations where there's a deliberate and strategic act of avoidance, distinguishing it from simply ignoring something. By understanding its nuances and context, you can effectively incorporate "to sidestep" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to avoid

A general term for keeping away from something.

to evade

Suggests skillfully escaping or dodging something.

to circumvent

Implies finding a way around an obstacle or rule.

to dodge

Suggests a quick, evasive movement.

to skirt

Means to go around the edge of something, often a topic.

to bypass

To go around or avoid something, often a formal process.

to duck

To avoid something quickly, as if physically ducking.

to elude

To escape the notice of; to avoid detection by.

to hedge

To avoid giving a clear answer or taking a firm position.

to parry

To deflect or ward off a question or attack.

FAQs

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

You can use "to sidestep" to indicate avoiding an issue or problem. For example, "The politician tried "to sidestep" the controversial question during the interview".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to sidestep"?

Alternatives include "to avoid", "to evade", or "to circumvent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "to sidestep" and "to ignore"?

"To sidestep" implies an active and strategic attempt to avoid something, while "to ignore" suggests a passive lack of attention. Sidestepping involves a conscious effort to move away from something.

When is it appropriate to use "to sidestep" instead of "to avoid"?

Use "to sidestep" when the avoidance involves a degree of skill or strategy, such as navigating around a difficult question or evading a rule. "To avoid" is a more general term and can be used in a wider range of contexts.