fight shy of (someone or something)
(redirected from fought shy of)fight shy of (someone or something)
To try to avoid confronting or encountering someone or something. I'm naturally a peacemaker, so I always fight shy of tension.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
fight shy of
Avoid meeting or confronting someone, as in "I have ... had to fight shy of invitations that would exhaust time and spirits" (Washington Irving, Life and Letters, 1821). This usage may allude to a military reluctance to meet or engage with the enemy. [Late 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
fight shy of
be unwilling to undertake or become involved with. 1992 Farmers Guardian Welsh companies often fight shy of dealing with the big multiples.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
fight ˈshy of something/of doing something
avoid something or doing something; not want to do something: I tend to fight shy of getting involved in protests, but in this case I feel very strongly that we should complain.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
fight shy of
To avoid meeting or confronting.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.