What is a verb for trying to dodge an issue and smooth it over?
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For example, you can tell your friend is furious at you, so you try to dodge their inevitable fury. You may do a nervous laugh and say "Wow, you look great!" or "Nice weather we're having!"
What would be a good way to describe that, preferably using a verb?
single-word-requests verbs questions
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For example, you can tell your friend is furious at you, so you try to dodge their inevitable fury. You may do a nervous laugh and say "Wow, you look great!" or "Nice weather we're having!"
What would be a good way to describe that, preferably using a verb?
single-word-requests verbs questions
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Welcome to ELU. Single word requests typically require an example sentence so answerers can be as precise as possible. You can edit to add one (although you’re already getting answers, so thanks for a nice question!).
– Pam
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For example, you can tell your friend is furious at you, so you try to dodge their inevitable fury. You may do a nervous laugh and say "Wow, you look great!" or "Nice weather we're having!"
What would be a good way to describe that, preferably using a verb?
single-word-requests verbs questions
New contributor
For example, you can tell your friend is furious at you, so you try to dodge their inevitable fury. You may do a nervous laugh and say "Wow, you look great!" or "Nice weather we're having!"
What would be a good way to describe that, preferably using a verb?
single-word-requests verbs questions
single-word-requests verbs questions
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NylaTheWolf
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Welcome to ELU. Single word requests typically require an example sentence so answerers can be as precise as possible. You can edit to add one (although you’re already getting answers, so thanks for a nice question!).
– Pam
12 hours ago
add a comment |
Welcome to ELU. Single word requests typically require an example sentence so answerers can be as precise as possible. You can edit to add one (although you’re already getting answers, so thanks for a nice question!).
– Pam
12 hours ago
Welcome to ELU. Single word requests typically require an example sentence so answerers can be as precise as possible. You can edit to add one (although you’re already getting answers, so thanks for a nice question!).
– Pam
12 hours ago
Welcome to ELU. Single word requests typically require an example sentence so answerers can be as precise as possible. You can edit to add one (although you’re already getting answers, so thanks for a nice question!).
– Pam
12 hours ago
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It's perhaps obfuscation.
ODO:
obfuscation
NOUN [mass noun]
The action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
‘when confronted with sharp questions they resort to obfuscation’
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The word that comes to my mind is ‘diffuse’, as in the common phrase “diffuse the situation”.
To diffuse a feeling, especially an undesirable one, means to cause it to weaken and lose its power to affect people.
- The arrival of letters from the president did nothing to diffuse the tension. [VERB noun]
(Collins Dictionary)
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It's a diversion tactic.
Usage:
George K. Simon, Dealing with Covertly Aggressive Personalities, "The Unbounded Spirit":
Another example of a diversion tactic can be found in the story of Don and Al. Al changed the subject when Don asked him if he had any plans to replace him. He focused on whether he was unhappy or not with Don’s sales performance – as if that’s what Don had asked him about in the first place. He never gave Don a straight answer to a straight question (manipulators are notorious for this). He told him what he thought would make Don feel less anxious and would steer him away from pursuing the matter any further. Al left feeling like he’d gotten an answer but all he really got was the “runaround.” [emphasis mine]
diversion (WP)
(military) A tactic used to draw attention away from the real threat or action.
I would have used 'defuse the situation', but according to [en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/diffuse-or-defuse] both are acceptable.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
Sorry - the above comment was meant to be attached to @Ivana's answer.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
You can't really use 'diversion' as a verb for this situation, though - 'diverting' doesn't really match the meaning of talking around something.
– Joseph Paduch
6 hours ago
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
It's perhaps obfuscation.
ODO:
obfuscation
NOUN [mass noun]
The action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
‘when confronted with sharp questions they resort to obfuscation’
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
It's perhaps obfuscation.
ODO:
obfuscation
NOUN [mass noun]
The action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
‘when confronted with sharp questions they resort to obfuscation’
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
It's perhaps obfuscation.
ODO:
obfuscation
NOUN [mass noun]
The action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
‘when confronted with sharp questions they resort to obfuscation’
It's perhaps obfuscation.
ODO:
obfuscation
NOUN [mass noun]
The action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
‘when confronted with sharp questions they resort to obfuscation’
answered 6 hours ago
alwayslearning
25.2k53592
25.2k53592
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The word that comes to my mind is ‘diffuse’, as in the common phrase “diffuse the situation”.
To diffuse a feeling, especially an undesirable one, means to cause it to weaken and lose its power to affect people.
- The arrival of letters from the president did nothing to diffuse the tension. [VERB noun]
(Collins Dictionary)
New contributor
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
The word that comes to my mind is ‘diffuse’, as in the common phrase “diffuse the situation”.
To diffuse a feeling, especially an undesirable one, means to cause it to weaken and lose its power to affect people.
- The arrival of letters from the president did nothing to diffuse the tension. [VERB noun]
(Collins Dictionary)
New contributor
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
The word that comes to my mind is ‘diffuse’, as in the common phrase “diffuse the situation”.
To diffuse a feeling, especially an undesirable one, means to cause it to weaken and lose its power to affect people.
- The arrival of letters from the president did nothing to diffuse the tension. [VERB noun]
(Collins Dictionary)
New contributor
The word that comes to my mind is ‘diffuse’, as in the common phrase “diffuse the situation”.
To diffuse a feeling, especially an undesirable one, means to cause it to weaken and lose its power to affect people.
- The arrival of letters from the president did nothing to diffuse the tension. [VERB noun]
(Collins Dictionary)
New contributor
edited 19 hours ago
user240918
23.2k865144
23.2k865144
New contributor
answered 20 hours ago
Ivana
111
111
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New contributor
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add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
It's a diversion tactic.
Usage:
George K. Simon, Dealing with Covertly Aggressive Personalities, "The Unbounded Spirit":
Another example of a diversion tactic can be found in the story of Don and Al. Al changed the subject when Don asked him if he had any plans to replace him. He focused on whether he was unhappy or not with Don’s sales performance – as if that’s what Don had asked him about in the first place. He never gave Don a straight answer to a straight question (manipulators are notorious for this). He told him what he thought would make Don feel less anxious and would steer him away from pursuing the matter any further. Al left feeling like he’d gotten an answer but all he really got was the “runaround.” [emphasis mine]
diversion (WP)
(military) A tactic used to draw attention away from the real threat or action.
I would have used 'defuse the situation', but according to [en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/diffuse-or-defuse] both are acceptable.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
Sorry - the above comment was meant to be attached to @Ivana's answer.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
You can't really use 'diversion' as a verb for this situation, though - 'diverting' doesn't really match the meaning of talking around something.
– Joseph Paduch
6 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
It's a diversion tactic.
Usage:
George K. Simon, Dealing with Covertly Aggressive Personalities, "The Unbounded Spirit":
Another example of a diversion tactic can be found in the story of Don and Al. Al changed the subject when Don asked him if he had any plans to replace him. He focused on whether he was unhappy or not with Don’s sales performance – as if that’s what Don had asked him about in the first place. He never gave Don a straight answer to a straight question (manipulators are notorious for this). He told him what he thought would make Don feel less anxious and would steer him away from pursuing the matter any further. Al left feeling like he’d gotten an answer but all he really got was the “runaround.” [emphasis mine]
diversion (WP)
(military) A tactic used to draw attention away from the real threat or action.
I would have used 'defuse the situation', but according to [en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/diffuse-or-defuse] both are acceptable.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
Sorry - the above comment was meant to be attached to @Ivana's answer.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
You can't really use 'diversion' as a verb for this situation, though - 'diverting' doesn't really match the meaning of talking around something.
– Joseph Paduch
6 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
It's a diversion tactic.
Usage:
George K. Simon, Dealing with Covertly Aggressive Personalities, "The Unbounded Spirit":
Another example of a diversion tactic can be found in the story of Don and Al. Al changed the subject when Don asked him if he had any plans to replace him. He focused on whether he was unhappy or not with Don’s sales performance – as if that’s what Don had asked him about in the first place. He never gave Don a straight answer to a straight question (manipulators are notorious for this). He told him what he thought would make Don feel less anxious and would steer him away from pursuing the matter any further. Al left feeling like he’d gotten an answer but all he really got was the “runaround.” [emphasis mine]
diversion (WP)
(military) A tactic used to draw attention away from the real threat or action.
It's a diversion tactic.
Usage:
George K. Simon, Dealing with Covertly Aggressive Personalities, "The Unbounded Spirit":
Another example of a diversion tactic can be found in the story of Don and Al. Al changed the subject when Don asked him if he had any plans to replace him. He focused on whether he was unhappy or not with Don’s sales performance – as if that’s what Don had asked him about in the first place. He never gave Don a straight answer to a straight question (manipulators are notorious for this). He told him what he thought would make Don feel less anxious and would steer him away from pursuing the matter any further. Al left feeling like he’d gotten an answer but all he really got was the “runaround.” [emphasis mine]
diversion (WP)
(military) A tactic used to draw attention away from the real threat or action.
edited 19 hours ago
answered 19 hours ago
Kris
32.3k541116
32.3k541116
I would have used 'defuse the situation', but according to [en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/diffuse-or-defuse] both are acceptable.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
Sorry - the above comment was meant to be attached to @Ivana's answer.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
You can't really use 'diversion' as a verb for this situation, though - 'diverting' doesn't really match the meaning of talking around something.
– Joseph Paduch
6 hours ago
add a comment |
I would have used 'defuse the situation', but according to [en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/diffuse-or-defuse] both are acceptable.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
Sorry - the above comment was meant to be attached to @Ivana's answer.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
You can't really use 'diversion' as a verb for this situation, though - 'diverting' doesn't really match the meaning of talking around something.
– Joseph Paduch
6 hours ago
I would have used 'defuse the situation', but according to [en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/diffuse-or-defuse] both are acceptable.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
I would have used 'defuse the situation', but according to [en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/diffuse-or-defuse] both are acceptable.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
Sorry - the above comment was meant to be attached to @Ivana's answer.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
Sorry - the above comment was meant to be attached to @Ivana's answer.
– Kate Bunting
18 hours ago
You can't really use 'diversion' as a verb for this situation, though - 'diverting' doesn't really match the meaning of talking around something.
– Joseph Paduch
6 hours ago
You can't really use 'diversion' as a verb for this situation, though - 'diverting' doesn't really match the meaning of talking around something.
– Joseph Paduch
6 hours ago
add a comment |
NylaTheWolf is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Welcome to ELU. Single word requests typically require an example sentence so answerers can be as precise as possible. You can edit to add one (although you’re already getting answers, so thanks for a nice question!).
– Pam
12 hours ago