sidle away

sidle away (from someone or something)

To move gradually, inconspicuously, or surreptitiously away from someone or something. I began sidling away from him one he started spouting political extremisms. He started feeling uncomfortable at the party, so he sidled away as soon as everyone's attention was on the host.
See also: away, sidle, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sidle away (from someone or something)

to avoid someone or something by moving to the side; to ease away from someone or something. The cowboy sidled away from the bar and drew his gun. He sidled away and snuck out the door.
See also: away, sidle
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • drag (someone or something) away from (something)
  • draw away
  • draw away from (someone or something)
  • conduct
  • conduct (someone or something) away
  • conduct away
  • drag away
  • drag (someone or something) away
  • dwindle away
  • deflect
References in classic literature
Here I am, commander!" cries Phil, who has started from his chair and unaccountably begun to sidle away. "If a mark's wanted, or if it will improve the business, let the customers take aim at me.
Bleak House
"She brought Bobbie--he's a fine boy now." Ralph observed, with an amusement that had a tinge of irony in it, that she was now going to sidle away quickly from this dangerous approach to intimacy on to topics of general and family interest.
Night and Day
Watch the liberal leavers -- those for whom it really wasn't about immigration and who were potentially most open to pragmatic compromises -- sidle away from the sinking ship.
If we are at a Brexit stalemate, we need a new parliament
Did they sidle away when the last seconds were running out?
Don't need this crowd trouble the best news .co. LIVE; relationship with fans needs to be strong as '84 on road to wembley
As Verizon tries to sidle away from an aging technology, I'm wondering what consumer protections apply.
Fighting switch to fiber-optic
I'd just like to sidle away, rather than be fanfared off.
Michael Aspel tells us why "Mr Bland" is ready to leave The Antiques Roadshow behind
Walter switched everything off, hopped out of the aircraft and snapped a smart salute, desperately hoping that a military bearing would provide enough cover for him and Lorne to sidle away. Then the pilot spoke to him in German.
We tried the greatest escape; PoW PLAN TO STEAL A PLANE IN BID FOR FREEDOM
As a practical matter, Wardlow will encourage recalcitrant citizens to appear at least somewhat responsive to police inquiries, rather than run, walk, sidle away, or tell the police, "Go to hell!"--despite the fact that the latter three options are theoretically protected by the Constitution.
The wicked may flee, but the police may stop them
It's odd that someone whose novels can be so much fun to read (Oranges makes me laugh out loud, and I've had people sidle away from me on the bus as though I were a crazy person about to start singing or screaming) can make reading sound like such a chore.
Art Objects: Essays on Ecstasy and Effrontery