dance around — to avoid talking directly about a subject; to speak evasively
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to avoid talking directly about a subject; to speak evasively
Pronunciation (IPA): /dæns əˈraʊnd/
Example Sentences
- The politician kept dancing around the scandal instead of giving a straight answer.
- My mom danced around the topic of my messy room for an hour before finally exploding.
- Stop dancing around it - did you eat my chocolate or not?
dance around
VERB[/dæns əˈraʊnd/]
to avoid talking directly about a subject; to speak evasively
to avoid talking directly about a subject; to speak evasively
Don't dance around—take your stance and give truth a chance!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb combines 'dance', from Middle French dancier, with 'around', from Old English on + round. Originally denoting the literal action of dancing in a circular motion, it evolved metaphorically to mean avoiding a central point or topic by moving obliquely around it, much as a dancer circles rather than moves directly forward.
Breakdown
dance (Middle French dancier, of uncertain ultimate origin) + around (Old English on 'in' + round 'circle', from Latin rotundus). The compound developed figurative force through the analogy of circular, indirect movement to evasive or indirect speech.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The politician kept dancing around the scandal instead of giving a straight answer.”
“My mom danced around the topic of my messy room for an hour before finally exploding.”
“Stop dancing around it - did you eat my chocolate or not?”
“The kids were dancing around the birthday cake, eager to blow out the candles.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.