sidestep

Etymology

From side + step.

noun

1. A step to the side.
2. A physical motion or metaphorical act to avoid or dodge something.

verb

1. (intransitive) To step to the side.
   I […] knocked and waited. […] He sidestepped, and I went in. 1955 October, Rex Stout, “Die Like a Dog”, in Three Witnesses, Bantam, published 1994, page 180
   Kilmarnock ought to have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time when Hefferman set up Kroca and, although the defender neatly sidestepped his marker, he fired straight into the chest of Enckelman. October 1, 2011, Clive Lindsay, “Kilmarnock 1 - 2 St Johnstone”, in BBC Sport
2. (transitive, figurative) To avoid or dodge.
   They sidestepped the issue.
   It was noticeable that he sidestepped questions about continuation south of Crewe, on the grounds that he must await the report of Sir Ivan Stedeford's Advisory Group. 1960 November, “Talking of Trains: That engine change at Crewe”, in Trains Illustrated, page 641