evade
evade — verb
- evadepresent simple I / you / we / they
- evadeshe / she / it
- evadedpast simple
- evading-ing form
1. to get away from a person, animal, or dangerous situation, especially by using q
to get away from a person, animal, or dangerous situation, especially by using quick movement or clever tricks.
The rabbit evaded the fox by diving into a narrow gap between two rocks.
evade + [predator] + by + [method]
Tamar evaded the crowd by taking a quiet side street behind the market.
The thief evaded the shopkeeper and ran out through the back door.
The cat evaded the dog by jumping onto the roof of the shed.
- face
to confront someone or something directly instead of running away
文法句型
evade + noun phrase (person / animal / danger)
用法筆記
Often implies using speed or cleverness, not just luck. The object is typically a person, animal, or threat that is trying to catch you.
常見錯誤
2. to deliberately avoid giving a straight answer to a question or discussing a sub
to deliberately avoid giving a straight answer to a question or discussing a subject, especially an uncomfortable one.
When the reporter asked about the missing funds, the manager evaded the question.
evade + a question (common collocation)
Soraya kept evading her brother's questions about the broken window.
The minister repeatedly evaded the issue of rising hospital costs during the interview.
Whenever Eve asked about her past, her grandmother evaded the topic completely.
- address
to deal with a question or issue directly
文法句型
evade + noun phrase (question / topic / issue)
用法筆記
The subject is usually a person or organisation. The object is a question, topic, or issue — not a person. For avoiding a person, use sense 1 (PHYSICAL ESCAPE).
常見錯誤
3. to avoid doing something that you are required to do by law, a rule, or a moral
to avoid doing something that you are required to do by law, a rule, or a moral duty, often by using dishonest methods.
Some large companies try to evade taxes by moving their profits to other countries.
evade taxes — fixed legal/financial collocation
Hao was fined for evading military service after he moved abroad without permission.
evade + [duty/obligation]
Students who evade paying the library fees will lose their borrowing privileges.
The company was accused of evading safety inspections for two years.
- avoid
more general; 'avoid' can be neutral, while 'evade' suggests dishonest intent
- circumvent
more formal; implies finding a clever way around a rule
- shirk
specifically about avoiding a duty or responsibility
文法句型
evade + noun phrase (tax / duty / obligation)
evade + -ing form
用法筆記
Used for legal or moral obligations. 'Evade taxes' is a fixed term in law and is different from 'avoid taxes', which may be legal (tax planning).
常見錯誤
4. if something such as success, happiness, or sleep evades you, it does not come t
if something such as success, happiness, or sleep evades you, it does not come to you or you cannot achieve it no matter what you try.
Despite years of hard training, an Olympic medal still evades Valentina.
[success/goal] + evades + [person] — subject is the goal itself
Sleep evaded Walid that night because he was too worried about the exam.
sleep + evades + [person] — common personification
The meaning of the poem evaded most of the students in the class.
A promotion has evaded Dario for five years despite his hard work.
- achieve
to successfully reach or obtain something
文法句型
[abstract noun] + evades + [person]
用法筆記
The subject of the sentence is the thing that does not come (e.g. success, sleep, meaning), and the object is the person who cannot get it. This is the opposite word order from senses 1–3.