fudge the issue

To dodge or avoid doing something. The phrase often has a connotation of deceit. The finance department is fudging the issue for now, but once news reaches the CEO, they will have to admit whatever they did to make these figures so impressive. I know you didn't do any of the chores I assigned you, and you can't fudge the issue any longer! How long did you plan to fudge the issue? Did you really think I wouldn't notice you hadn't finished the project?