sidestep n : a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing) v : avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues); "He dodged the issue"; "she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully" [syn: {hedge}, {fudge}, {evade}, {put off}, {circumvent}, {parry}, {elude}, {skirt}, {dodge}, {duck}] [also: {sidestepping}, {sidestepped}]