dodge
noun
Dodge — the quick, sudden movement that slips past a coming blow
Definition
A quick evasive movement
In depth
A dodge is a quick evasive movement, a sudden shift of position designed to avoid a blow, obstacle, or unwanted encounter. The word implies speed and reflex rather than elaborate strategy, the instinctive sidestep executed in a fraction of a second. It also carries a figurative sense, describing a clever or sometimes dishonest avoidance of a question, responsibility, or obligation.
Origin
The word's exact origin is uncertain, though it likely relates to an older English dialect term for shifting or moving evasively, gaining wide currency in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Its enduring versatility across literal and figurative senses reflects how naturally physical evasion translates into metaphor for avoiding uncomfortable truths or obligations.
Usage examples
"His quick dodge avoided the swinging branch by mere inches."
"She had perfected the art of the conversational dodge, steering every question gently away from anything too personal."
"The boxer's dodge, executed with split-second timing, left his opponent swinging at empty air."
How to use it
Dodge works naturally in both literal physical description and figurative use describing skillful avoidance of questions or responsibilities, the latter often carrying a mildly critical or skeptical connotation about the dodger's honesty.
Related concepts
Looking for a word but don't know its name?
Try the Word Finder →