fight shy of (someone or something)

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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.
See also: fight, of, shy
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]
See also: fight, of, shy
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.
See also: fight, of, shy
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.
See also: fight, of, shy, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

fight shy of

To avoid meeting or confronting.
See also: fight, of, shy
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.
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References in classic literature ?
The crudeness of the question startled him: the word was one that women of his class fought shy of, even when their talk flitted closest about the topic.
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We all fought shy of 30d on the east and 175d on the west, and, though we had to skirt them pretty close, nothing but an act of God ever drew one of us across.
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So he had eschewed all love-making, regulated his dual life, cleaned up a million in business, fought shy of match-making mamas and bright-eyed and eager young ladies of various ages, met Lilian Gersdale and made it a rigid observance never to see her later than eight o'clock in the evening, run of nights after his coyotes, and slept in forest lairs--and through it all had kept his secret safe save Lee Sing .
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Politicians fought shy of any measure which could cost it important seats in Scotland.
An out-of-date formula
His character was an engaging one and he never fought shy of adding his opinion, no matter how it was received, and this often brought ridicule and outcry in differing measures.
My meeting with a political giant
While Kempton is next on the agenda, Tizzard fought shy of any talk of challenging for Cheltenham Gold Cup honours at this stage.
Cue Card tipped for King George VI; RACING
Summary: Oil prices slipped below $107 a barrel on Friday and hit a 2012 low as investors fought shy of riskier, growth-oriented assets on fears that Greece would leave the euro, and after a downgrade of 16 Spanish banks by Moody's added to the contagion gloom.
Oil hits 2012 low under $107 on eurozone turmoil
France coach Marc Lievremont has not fought shy of putting out the rest of his big guns, and opposite number Kirwan said: "I think he's picked a very, very strong side.
French strong
This is primarily because of the fact that parties have always fought shy of giving enough tickets to Muslims.
CM Nitish's posturing aimed at Muslims
I've never fought shy of criticising the Vatican and its secretive internal and sometimes corrupt bureaucracy.
Why is it okay to knock Christianity?
However, the flame-haired ballerina - who was a principal dancer for Sadler's Wells - always fought shy of her fame brought about by her celluloid role.
Moira was Shear class; ARTWORKS SCOTLAND SUNDAY, BBC2,7pm
Unfortunately historians have fought shy of explicit theorizing, though with the recent interest in cultural historical models that shyness may be disappearing--at least in terms of willingness to use models developed by other scholars even if they are not always adequately tested by those using them.
The old social history and the new social sciences
The government has fought shy of any radical changes in any key areas which would make life better for the citizens of the UK.
Big hitter needed by Tories
The Government has consistently fought shy of tackling supermarket power.
STOTTY ON SUNDAY: THE MEAN GROCER
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