Meaning & use
evasive action
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Meanings
noununcountable
A sudden movement or change of direction made in order to avoid danger, a collision or an attack.
Grammar: No article: the pilot took evasive action.
Patterns
- take evasive action
- evasive action to avoid something
The driver took evasive action to avoid hitting the deer.
The pilot had to take evasive action when a second plane appeared.
The ship took evasive action as the torpedo approached.
noununcountablefigurativehumorous
Steps taken to avoid an unpleasant situation, question or responsibility.
Grammar: Informal or figurative: take evasive action to dodge awkward talks.
Patterns
- take evasive action
When she saw her ex across the room, she took evasive action.
The minister took evasive action when reporters asked about the leak.
I took evasive action when my uncle began talking about politics.
Common combinations
- take evasive action
- The cyclist took evasive action to miss the car door.
- evasive action to avoid a collision
- The captain ordered evasive action to avoid a collision.
- quick evasive action
- Quick evasive action saved the plane.
- forced to take evasive action
- Drivers were forced to take evasive action on the icy road.
- evasive action required
- Evasive action was required when the dog ran out.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dodge
- Dodge is a quick sideways move, and is more casual than evasive action.
- avoidance
- Avoidance is general and may be passive, while evasive action means an active move in the moment.
- swerve
- A swerve is one sudden turn, whereas evasive action can include several moves.
- escape
- Escape means getting away completely, whereas evasive action is the attempt to avoid harm.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: evasive action or evasive answer?
evasive action vs evasive answer
An evasive answer avoids a question, while evasive action is a physical or practical move to avoid danger.
Practice
The truck driver saw the child step out and quickly took ___ to avoid an accident.
Choose one answer.
Evasive action is the quick move to avoid danger. Evasive answers avoid questions, and the other options are not standard phrases.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “evasive action”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.