Dance around Meaning in English
expression
ˈdæns/ /ɝˈaʊn/, /ɝˈaʊnd
DANS-er-OWND
dˈɑːns/ /ɐɹˈaʊnd
DAHNS-uh-ROWND
Definition
To literally move or dance in a circle around something; also, to avoid speaking directly about an issue or answering a question.
Usage & Nuances
Used both literally and figuratively. Idiomatically, common in conversation for avoiding direct answers ('dance around a question'). Slightly informal; 'dance around' is softer than 'avoid' or 'ignore'.
Spanish: evitar directamente - esquivar (preguntas) - bailar alrededor dePortuguese (BR): evitar diretamente - enrolar (assunto) - dançar ao redor dePortuguese (PT): evitar diretamente - contornar (perguntas) - dançar à volta deChinese (Simplified): 回避（问题）- 在周围跳舞Chinese (Traditional): 迴避（問題）- 在周圍跳舞Hindi: टालना (सवाल या मुद्दा) - चारों ओर नाचनाArabic: يتجنب (إجابة مباشرة) - يرقص حولBengali: চারপাশে নাচা - বিষয় এড়ানোRussian: вокруг танцевать - уходить от ответа (уклоняться)Japanese: 周りを踊る - 話をはぐらかすVietnamese: nhảy xung quanh - né tránh (vấn đề)Korean: 주위를 춤추다 - 돌려 말하다Turkish: etrafında dans etmek - konuyu dolaylı anlatmakUrdu: گِرد گھوم کر ناچنا - بات کو گھما دیناIndonesian: menari di sekitar - menghindari (bahasan)
Example Sentences
The children danced around the campfire.
basic
Please don't dance around the subject, just answer me.
basic
He tends to dance around difficult questions.
basic
Why do you always dance around what you really mean?
natural
She just danced around the issue during the interview.
natural
Don’t dance around—just tell me what happened.
natural