sidestep an issue
[/ˈsaɪdstɛp ən ˈɪʃuː/]
verb phrase
contornar uma questão; evitar uma questão; esquivar-se de uma questão
1. to avoid dealing with or addressing a problem, question, or issue directly; to evade responsibility or commitment
The politician tried to sidestep the question about corruption by talking about economic growth instead.
O político tentou contornar a questão sobre corrupção ao falar sobre crescimento econômico em vez disso.
2. to dodge or circumvent an obstacle, difficulty, or uncomfortable topic in a conversation
She sidestepped the issue of her failed marriage by changing the subject.
Ela esquivou-se da questão de seu casamento fracassado mudando de assunto.
This phrase is widely used in both American and Brazilian contexts to describe political discourse, business negotiations, and interpersonal conflicts. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'contornar' emphasizes finding an alternative route, while in Portugal, 'dar um jeito' suggests cleverness in the evasion. It's considered a neutral to slightly negative description depending on context.
NYC Slang
dodge the question; play dumb; kick it down the road
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