Skirt the Issue – Meaning and Examples
Imagine asking a difficult question, and the person gives you a very long answer that talks about everything except the main point. When someone deliberately avoids giving a direct answer or dealing with a sensitive topic, we say they skirt the issue. This idiom is very common when discussing politics, interviews, or awkward conversations.
What Does “Skirt the Issue” Mean?
The idiom “skirt the issue” means to avoid discussing the main point or problem directly, instead talking around it, usually because the topic is sensitive, difficult, or embarrassing. The word “skirt” literally means to go around the edge of something. Figuratively, when you skirt the issue, you are walking around the central problem without ever addressing it.
When to Use It
You can use skirt the issue when someone is being evasive, especially in public or professional settings.
- Politics: Politicians often skirt the issue when asked about controversial decisions.
- Interviews: The interviewee tried to skirt the issue when asked about their past failures.
- Arguments: When confronted about his poor attitude, he tried to skirt the issue by changing the subject.
This phrase is neutral to negative, suggesting the speaker is intentionally avoiding the truth.
Example Sentences
- The company CEO continued to skirt the issue of job losses, focusing only on future growth.
- When I asked him directly about the budget deficit, he just skirted the issue.
- It’s clear she doesn’t want to talk about the problem; she keeps skirting the issue.
- If you don’t stop skirting the issue, we can never find a real solution.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did you see that press conference? The mayor never answered the question about taxes.”
Jamie: “I know. He always tries to skirt the issue when the topic is unpopular.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use this idiom when someone is literally walking around a physical object.
❌ Don’t: “We had to skirt the issue of the large puddle in the road.” (This is incorrect. Use “walk around” or “go around.”)
✅ Do: “The committee spent the whole meeting skirting the issue of funding cuts.” (This means they avoided discussing the cuts.)
Practice Tip
Think of a difficult conversation you need to have. Write one sentence explaining why the other person might try to skirt the issue.
Final Note
Using skirt the issue is an effective way to call out evasiveness in communication. Practice using this phrase to describe situations where people avoid facing the facts!
