| 释义 |
▪ I. ˈside-step, n.
[side n.1 or adv.2]
1. A step to one side; spec. in Rugby Football, a step to the side, as to avoid a tackle, made while running with the ball. Also Sc., a false step wrenching the limb (Jam. 1882). Also fig.
1789Rules & Reg. Field Exercises Army in Ireland i. 8 The Side-step, or march, is very necessary on many occasions when halted. 1847Infantry Man. (1854) 48 The side or closing step must..be frequently practised. 1859F. A. Griffiths Artil. Man. (1862) 6 The length of the side step, which is always taken in quick time, is 10 inches. 1927[see jink v.1]. 1940‘Gun Buster’ Return via Dunkirk ii. viii. 148 We've got to make a side-step, giving up part of the ridge we're now holding. 1960V. Jenkins Lions down Under xi. 161 Risman did the rest with two perfect side-steps.
2. A step fixed to the side of a ship, vehicle, etc.
1867Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 625 Side-steps, pieces of wood bolted to the side of a ship for the convenience of ascending.
▪ II. ˈside-step, v.
[f. prec.]
1. a. intr. To step to one side. Also transf., to go aside from the direct route; to make a side-trip.
1901Scribner's Mag. Apr. 422/1 Skipper..raised his head, and side-stepped stiffly. 1927Ladies' Home Jrnl. Jan. 62, I was glad I side stepped, for the journey..was worth a deviation. 1951Sport 6–12 Apr. 15/2 He twists, turns, side-steps and swerves beautifully. 1973‘D. Halliday’ Dolly & Starry Bird xv. 230 Sophia sidestepped and walked sharply past Charles.
b. fig. To practise evasion; to avoid an issue or prevaricate.
a1911D. G. Phillips Susan Lenox (1917) II. xi. 276 What do you think of that, Terry? I offered her a twenty and she sidestepped. 1930P. Macdonald Link vii. 114 I've even asked Dinwater that flat out on two occasions. But he's always side-stepped.
c. Skiing. (See quots.)
1924Ski Terms in Tourist Winter Sports No. 12/2 Side stepping, climbing by lifting the skis horizontally. 1976Webster's Sports Dict. 390/2 Sidestep, to climb a slope by employing a sidestep.
2. a. trans. To avoid by stepping to the side; spec. in Football.
1905‘O. Henry’ in N.Y. World (Mag. section) 12 Mar. 5/4 I've lost two inches of my tail trying to sidestep those swinging doors. 1920W. Camp Football without Coach 93 The man who catches the ball will not be able to sidestep him or pass him. 1931Times 16 Feb. 5/1 Once, Arigho..managed to side-step Reeve. 1976Sunday Mail (Glasgow) 28 Nov. 46/6 The striker took his time, sidestepped a tackle and neatly shot low past Rennie.
b. fig.
1900Ade Fables in Slang 56 The Parents decided to give Clarence a large Measure of Liberty, that he might become Acquainted with the Snares and Temptations of the World when he was Young, and thus be Prepared to side-step the Pitfalls when he was Older. 1906Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republ. 27 Sept. 8 The Idaho republicans are deftly side-stepping the anti-Mormon issue. 1915Wodehouse Psmith Journalist xxiii. 173 If I can put him away, it gets me into line with Jimmy, and he can't side-step me. 1932E. Wallace When Gangs came to London xxviii. 287 One of the best gunmen that ever sidestepped the chair. 1947E. O. Schlunke in Coast to Coast 1946 51 But to make sure he wasn't ‘side-stepped’, Krantz turned up at the railway station. 1964English Studies XLV. 21 Many people side-step the recognition of a plurality of Englishes by such judgments as: ‘Oh, that's not English, that's American.’ 1977Time 8 Aug. 25/1 If the British government continues on the line it appears to be following, we will be able to sidestep them and arrive at an internal settlement.
3. trans. To cause (a person or thing) to move sideways; to transfer to the side.
1969A. Glyn Dragon Variation viii. 245 Jeff's Queen was en prise, and he side-stepped her one square where she would still be able to defend the Rook's Pawn. 1974Daily Tel. 26 Mar. 16 Peter Dimmock, general manager of BBC Enterprises... Mr Dimmock, formerly general manager of BBC Outside Broadcasts, was sidestepped to his present job.
Hence ˈside-stepper, one who steps sideways or avoids a direct course or issue; ˈside-stepping vbl. n., stepping sideways, evasiveness, avoidance; also as ppl. a.
1901G. V. Hobart Down Line with John Henry 100, I was the likeliest side-stepper that ever did a grass⁓chopping speciality. 1909N.Y. Even. Post (semi-weekly ed.) 1 Mar. 1 Had not Mr. Fairbanks been a really wonderful side-stepper, their essential differences might have long ago become public property. 1912J. Sandilands Western Canad. Dict. & Phrase-Bk., Sidestepping, wandering from the argument, evading the question. 1932Blue Valley Farmer (Oklahoma City) 17 Mar. 6/5 When America is grappling with things fundamental, tired and disgusted with side-stepping, buck-passing and plain lying..the country must content itself with a stone when it asked for bread. 1949‘J. Tey’ Brat Farrar xii. 100 The conversational ground he moved on was firm. There was need for neither side-stepping nor manoeuvre. 1960Times 16 June 16/2 ‘Autumn’ with its evocative side-stepping harmonies, was delightfully sung. 1970Times 28 Sept. 12/7 The sidestepping at blinding speed of Gerald Davies on the right wing. 1980N. Freeling Castang's City xvi. 105 A dodgy rapid sidestepper, a clever elusive runner. |