Knowing how to say “dodge” in different situations can be useful when communicating with others. In this guide, we will explore formal and informal ways to express this concept, focusing on standard variations. Additionally, we’ll provide tips, examples, and relevant information to help you understand the different nuances of expressing “dodge” in various contexts.
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
Formal situations often require a more respectful and polished choice of words. Here are some formal expressions for “dodge”:
- Avoid: Use this term when expressing the need to prevent encountering or engaging with something undesirable. For example, “I must avoid the argument to maintain a peaceful environment.”
- Evade: This word suggests the act of eluding or escaping from someone or something. An example sentence could be, “The suspect managed to evade capture by eluding the authorities.”
- Shirk: When you want to indicate the avoidance of responsibility or duty, “shirk” is a suitable choice. For instance, “He always shirks his responsibilities by delegating them to others.”
- Sidestep: This term refers to a deliberate movement to avoid someone or something. An example could be, “She skillfully sidestepped the oncoming car.”
Informal Expressions
Informal situations often allow for a more relaxed and casual choice of words. Here are some informal expressions you can use to say “dodge”:
- Avoid like the plague: This phrase, which originated from the Great Plague in the 17th century, means to avoid someone or something at all costs. For example, “I avoid her like the plague because she always causes trouble.”
- Duck: Using “duck” suggests quickly lowering or moving your head or body to avoid something. For instance, “He ducked to avoid being hit by the flying object.”
- Weasel out of: This expression implies finding ways to escape from an obligation or responsibility. For example, “He always tries to weasel out of doing any work.”
- Sidestep like a pro: This phrase adds a lighthearted tone to the act of evading or dodging something skillfully. An example could be, “She sidestepped like a pro to avoid the flying ball.”
Common Sentences and Usage Examples
Now, let’s look at some common sentences and usage examples to better understand the different ways to say “dodge” in various situations:
“To succeed in negotiations, he carefully sidestepped sensitive topics.”
In this example, “sidestepped” is used in a formal context to describe avoiding sensitive topics during negotiations in order to achieve success.
“I always avoid talking about politics with my co-workers to prevent conflicts.”
In this informal sentence, “avoid” is used to indicate personal preference in order to prevent conflicts with colleagues.
“The politician managed to evade questions about his controversial past.”
In this formal example, “evade” is employed to describe a politician’s skill in avoiding or dodging questions concerning his controversial past.
Conclusion
Expressing the concept of “dodge” can be tailored for formal or informal situations, depending on the context and audience. With this guide, you now have a range of formal and informal expressions to effectively communicate the idea of avoiding, evading, or sidestepping. Remember to consider the appropriate tone and level of formality when using these expressions, and always adapt them to suit your specific situation.
