Skirt around Meaning in English
expression
ˈskɝt/ /ɝˈaʊn/, /ɝˈaʊnd
SKURT uh-ROWND
skˈɜːt/ /ɐɹˈaʊnd
sk-URT uh-ROWND
Definition
To avoid talking directly about a topic or issue, or to move around the edge of something rather than dealing with it directly.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used for avoiding difficult, embarrassing, or sensitive issues in conversation. Common collocation: 'skirt around the issue/question.' More figurative than literal; rarely used for physical avoidance. Slightly informal.
Spanish: evitar (un tema) - esquivarPortuguese (BR): evitar (um assunto) - contornarPortuguese (PT): evitar (um assunto) - contornarChinese (Simplified): 回避（问题） - 避开Chinese (Traditional): 迴避（問題） - 避開Hindi: मुद्दे को टालना - बचनाArabic: يتجنب (موضوع) - يلتف حولBengali: এড়িয়ে যাওয়া - পাশ কাটানোRussian: обходить стороной - уклоняться (от вопроса/темы)Japanese: はぐらかす - 遠回しにするVietnamese: lảng tránh - né tránhKorean: 돌려 말하다 - 피하다Turkish: konuyu geçiştirmek - (bir şeyi) üstü kapalı geçmekUrdu: بات کو گول مول کرنا - ٹالناIndonesian: menghindari topik - berputar-putar
Example Sentences
She tried to skirt around the main question in the meeting.
basic
Don’t skirt around the problem; be honest.
basic
He skirted around her question about his job.
basic
She kept skirting around what really happened that night.
natural
Let’s not skirt around the issue any longer—let’s deal with it now.
natural
You always skirt around tough conversations instead of facing them head-on.
natural