skirt around

Related to skirt around: skirt along

skirt around (someone or something)

1. To lie around the edge of something. The small creek skirting around the edge of our property has always been a source of fascination to our kids. The proposed highway will skirt around the city to ease the pressure of rush-hour commuters.
2. To move around someone or something so as to avoid or evade them or it. The pilots changed course in order to skirt around the storm. I skirted around the security guard when his back was turned and made my way into the building.
3. To avoid or evade some issue or topic, as by circumlocution. He always skirts around the issue whenever I bring up pay raises for the people on my team. When asked about his role in the scandal, the CEO skirted around the issue with a longwinded non sequitur about his loyalty to his company and its customers.
See also: around, skirt
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

skirt around someone or something

Fig. to move around and avoid someone or something. (something can be a topic of conversation.) We talked the whole evening and managed to skirt around Fred. We had to skirt around the subject.
See also: around, skirt
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • edge around
  • edge around (something)
  • gaze around at (someone or something)
  • crowd around
  • crowd around (someone or something)
  • find way around
  • bomb around
  • around (one's) ears
  • collect around
  • collect around (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Dartmouth Circus is a major junction for motorists wanting to join the outer ring road to skirt around the city centre.
Manhole cover sparks city chaos
Coun Worrall (St Matthew's) is supporting an alternative proposal by the Save the Littleton Arms Group, which would see the ring road skirt around the pub.
Campaign to save 140-year-old pub
In Britain, libraries offer a great extra resource with computers connected to the internet but there are surfers who will know ways to skirt around filtering.
Smart way for filtering
"The girl was bouncing up and down on the boy's lap with her skirt around her neck.
Fiona dampens jungle couple's sexy romp
As far as I am aware if someone is injured or maimed as a result of having to skirt around a bin left there by the council on the pavement then they may be held responsible and suffer any subsequent claim.
Obstructive behaviour; Mailbag letters also appear online at Mailbag
"A lot of doctors are also starting to skirt around the rules and not insist on months of lifestyle change and pharmaceutical treatment -instead they are going straight for surgery."
Obesity ops up 785% on NHS
For once, Lily didn't end the night being carried out of the place with her skirt around her head - in fact, she was the designated driver.
3am: LILLY 'N' LILO GET IT RON
'I just wrapped the skirt around me like a big towel and came out of my dressing room almost completely naked.
FLASH KATE NO MORE; GMTV star gives Proclaimers an eyeful in studio
Particular thought was being given to preventing 'rat runs' from emerging by preventing motorists from driving through residential areas in an attempt to skirt around the city centre.
Road charges would shift jam problem to ring road
Aim for an elegantly loose fit - you should be able to turn a skirt around your body.
50 PLUS: THE SIX SINS OF SENIORITY
"When it came to those moments of difficulty we were able to skirt around the big conflicts and diffuse the situation.
We love telly: WE LOVE music - THE VIEW PRESENTS: THE EDGE RTE1, 11.30pm
"Some parts of her speech were controversial but it is always interesting to have speakers who raise difficult issues and she didn't skirt around them."
Cherie's heavy date
The result looks like a very uncomfortable picnic-scene while they skirt around the prospect of getting down to business.
Triumph of the will over Wagner; Tristan und Isolde Birmingham Hippodrome
As Capello is a proven winner, let's hope the FA didn't skirt around the key question: "When can you start?"
WE'LL PLAY FOUR-TUTU; EXCLUSIVE