Meaning & use
dodging
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“dodging” is a form of “dodge”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Moving quickly aside or ducking to avoid being hit, caught or seen.
Grammar: Takes an object when you avoid something: dodging a ball; no object when you just move: dodging into a doorway.
Patterns
- dodge something
- dodge into somewhere
The boy kept dodging the ball in the playground.
She was dodging puddles on her way to the bus stop.
The cat was dodging between the legs of the chairs.
verbtransitivefigurative
Cleverly avoiding a duty, question or unpleasant matter, usually by trickery or evasion.
Grammar: Takes an object: dodging taxes, dodging a question.
Patterns
- dodge a question
- dodge responsibility
- dodge something by doing something
The minister kept dodging questions about the budget.
He was dodging his chores by claiming he had homework.
Some companies are accused of dodging taxes through offshore accounts.
Word forms
| base form | dodge |
|---|---|
| third person singular | dodges |
| past tense | dodged |
| past participle | dodged |
Common combinations
- dodging traffic
- Cyclists were dodging traffic on the narrow bridge.
- dodging questions
- The spokesman was dodging questions all morning.
- dodging responsibility
- Stop dodging responsibility and admit the error.
- dodging taxes
- The firm was caught dodging taxes for years.
- dodging bullets
- Reporters ran through the streets, dodging bullets.
Synonyms and how they differ
- avoiding
- Avoiding is the general word for keeping away from something, while dodging suggests a quick, clever move or evasion.
- evading
- Evading is more formal and often used for laws or capture, whereas dodging is more informal and playful.
- ducking
- Ducking means lowering your head or body quickly, and informally means avoiding a duty; dodging covers any sidestep.
- sidestepping
- Sidestepping implies calmly stepping around a problem, while dodging suggests a hurried escape.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: dodging or dodgy?
dodging vs dodgy
Dodgy is British informal for risky or dishonest, and is not the adjective form of dodging; dodging is the act of avoiding.
Practice
The politician spent the interview ___ every tough question about the scandal.
Choose one answer.
Dodging means cleverly avoiding, which fits a politician sidestepping hard questions. Answering or welcoming would mean the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dodging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.