sidestep
sidestep — verb
- sidesteppresent simple I / you / we / they
- sidestepshe / she / it
- sidesteppedpast simple
- sidestepping-ing form
1. to move one foot to the side and shift your body so that something coming toward
to move one foot to the side and shift your body so that something coming toward you, such as a ball, a person, or a vehicle, passes without hitting you.
When the cyclist swerved toward the pavement, Lin sidestepped onto the grass to avoid a collision.
intransitive: sidestep + preposition phrase
The boxer sidestepped his opponent's jab and immediately threw a right cross.
transitive: sidestep + direct object
Elena saw the toddler running toward her and sidestepped just in time to let him pass.
A jogger came around the corner at full speed, but Oluwaseun sidestepped neatly and continued walking.
The goalkeeper sidestepped the striker and cleared the ball up the field.
- dodge
more sudden and can involve ducking down, not just stepping sideways
- avoid
broader meaning, does not specify the sideways movement
- step aside
phrasal verb; can be used figuratively as well
- face
to confront something head-on instead of moving away
文法句型
sidestep + noun phrase (thing avoided)
sidestep (no object)
sidestep + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
When transitive, the object is the thing being avoided (a punch, a ball, a person). When intransitive, a prepositional phrase (onto the grass, out of the way) often follows to show the direction.
常見錯誤
2. to deliberately avoid answering a difficult question or dealing with a problem,
to deliberately avoid answering a difficult question or dealing with a problem, often by changing the subject or giving a vague reply.
When a reporter asked about the missing funds, the mayor sidestepped the question by praising recent projects.
collocation: sidestep + question
The company's statement sidestepped the issue of falling profits and focused on growth plans instead.
Rather than admit the mistake, Li-Wei sidestepped responsibility and blamed the late delivery on the supplier.
During the debate, both candidates sidestepped the hardest questions and repeated their campaign slogans.
Fatima tried to sidestep her manager's request for a progress update by saying she was still waiting for data.
- evade
slightly more formal; can imply guilty intent
- dodge
more informal; also means physically move aside
- circumvent
more formal; suggests finding a clever way around a rule or obstacle
文法句型
sidestep + question/issue/problem/responsibility
用法筆記
Common with political or workplace discussion. The object is usually an abstract noun: question, issue, problem, topic, responsibility, duty. Unlike 'avoid', 'sidestep' implies a clever or deliberate redirection rather than simple inaction.
常見錯誤
sidestep — noun
1. a quick movement to the side made to avoid being hit by an opponent, especially
a quick movement to the side made to avoid being hit by an opponent, especially in combat sports such as boxing or martial arts.
The young boxer drilled the sidestep on the heavy bag daily until the footwork felt automatic during a match.
boxing training drill: sidestep + heavy bag
A well-timed sidestep let Thiago dodge the kick and quickly move into a better position.
adjective-noun: well-timed sidestep
Ana's coach demonstrated a sidestep by sliding his back foot sideways as the heavier boxer threw a jab.
The audience cheered as the boxer's fast sidestep saved him from a powerful right hook.
文法句型
a + adjective + sidestep
a sidestep + preposition (to the side)
用法筆記
Technically a noun form of the verb sense 1. In sports contexts, it refers specifically to footwork technique rather than any sideways step.
2. a sideways movement of the foot when walking across a steep slope or a narrow su
a sideways movement of the foot when walking across a steep slope or a narrow surface, especially in skiing or hiking.
The skiers dug their edges into the hard snow and took slow sidesteps up the steep trail near the summit.
typically used in plural: sidesteps
The hikers pressed their boot edges into the ice and took short sidesteps across the windswept ridge.
sensory detail: boot edges into ice
Yuki pressed her boot edge into the steep trail and took a careful sidestep across the muddy slope.
The guide turned sideways on the loose scree and showed the group a sidestep, digging each boot heel into the gravel.
文法句型
sidesteps + preposition (up/across/on)
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (sidesteps) when describing a series of movements. This sense is most common in skiing instruction and mountaineering guides.