dodge

Everyday

1. To dodge is to move quickly to one side to avoid being hit or caught. tree →
2. To dodge something is to avoid it in a clever or dishonest way (dodge a question, dodge a job). tree →
3. A dodge is a quick movement to one side, or a clever trick to avoid something. tree →

In the lessons

In PE and games like dodgeball, players dodge the ball. In stories a hero dodges arrows or a falling rock; a character who dodges a question may be hiding the truth. In everyday life, «dodging chores» means avoiding them. Phrases: dodge the ball, dodge a question, dodge the rain, dodgeball, a tax dodge.

Examples

• He dodged the ball just in time. tree →
• We played dodgeball in PE. tree →
• The rabbit dodged the fox and ran into its hole. tree →
• She dodged the question by changing the subject. tree →
• My brother always tries to dodge washing up. tree →
• We dodged between the raindrops to the car. tree →
• The cyclist dodged a puddle. tree →
• He dodged here and there with the hounds at his heels. tree →

Note

Regular verb: dodged, dodging (drop the e). Adjective «dodgy» (British, informal) means not safe, not honest or not working well.