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shy away from

[/ʃaɪ əˈweɪ frəm/]
verb phrase
evitar, retrair-se de, esquivar-se de
1. to avoid or retreat from something due to fear, reluctance, or lack of confidence
She tends to shy away from public speaking engagements.
Ela tende a evitar apresentações em público.
2. to be unwilling to face or deal with something difficult or unpleasant
Don't shy away from difficult conversations with your partner.
Não se esquive de conversas difíceis com seu parceiro.
NYC Slang
bail on, duck out on
Synonyms
avoidevadedodgeshrink fromback away fromrecoil fromflinch from
Antonyms
embraceface up toconfronttackleapproach

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
evitar, retrair-se de, esquivar-se de
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
dar um jeito de não fazer, se afastar de
Colloquial variation
São Paulo
evitar, fugir de
Standard usage
Portugal
esquivar-se, recuar perante, fugir de
Slightly more formal tone than Brazilian Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

afraid of one's own shadow
get cold feet
take the plunge (antonym)
bite the bullet (antonym)
face the music (antonym)
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