ducking and diving

duck and dive

To use one's cleverness or resourcefulness to avoid or address problems or obstacles. Longtime politicians always seem to have a great ability to duck and dive.
See also: and, dive, duck

ducking and diving

Participating in a variety of activities, often illicit ones. I'm worried that John is ducking and diving because he's hardly ever home anymore and won't tell me what he does all day.
See also: and, dive, duck
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • duck and dive
  • live by one's wits
  • live by wits
  • live by your wits
  • live by/on (one's) wits
  • live by/on your wits
  • by (one's) wits
  • by one's wits
  • how do you like them apples
  • how do you like them apples?
References in periodicals archive
Stone said: "It is always a nice feeling to see your opponents ducking and diving.
Olly leaves no Stone unturned in bid to make World Cup; CRICKET
DUCKING AND DIVING Kingfishers catch 150 fish a day for themselves and their young
CATCH OF THE DAY
Once the Christmas holidays begin younger visitors will be able to follow a Ducking and Diving quiz trail around the picturesque paths and make a tree decoration that helps to feed the garden birds.
Family fun at reserve; WILDLIFE
Once the Christmas holidays begin, younger visitors will be able to follow a Ducking and Diving quiz trail around the picturesque paths and make a tree decoration that helps to feed the garden birds.
Family fun at reserve; WILDLIFE
Hancock likes to keep up with the latest technology but the unveiling of a new phone application is enough to send anyone ducking and diving for cover.
Duck this awful app
* DUCKING AND DIVING: Andy Booth and Jonathan Turton, front, with Town players, from left, Jim Goodwin, Jordan Rhodes, Lee Novak, Antony Kay, Peter Clarke, Gary Roberts and Anthony Pilkington (PW130510Dducks-01)
Boothy ready to break his duck
For McVeigh to score 26 with a team ducking and diving for points in the lower-half of the table takes some doing.
Veigh to go for goal king Paul
HEVERYONE expected the afore-mentioned Oxford interview to prove a damp squib, but it turned into great telly - not so much because of the issues, but because of the manner in which Thomas and his UGO oppponent Tim Gardner glared at each other like prizefighters - Gardner even appeared to be actually ducking and diving! Both parties performed well, although particular praise goes to Gardner on his TV debut.
Off The Leash: Frock horror, but Bill rocks on!
WE'RE used to politicians ducking and diving, but not in the full glare of the media's cameras.
Ducking the issues, Cameron? POLITICS: Close call for Tory leader on train
Dewar accused the Nats of "ducking and diving" to conceal their aim of separation from the United Kingdom.
Dewar starts battle