/ dɒdʒ; NAmE dɑːdʒ/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
to move quickly and suddenly to one side in order to avoid sb/sth :
[ vn ]
He ran across the road, dodging the traffic.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ]
The girl dodged behind a tree to hide from the other children.
2.
to avoid doing sth, especially in a dishonest way :
[ vn ]
He dodged his military service.
[ v -ing ]
She tried to dodge paying her taxes.
■ noun
a clever and dishonest trick, played in order to avoid sth :
a tax dodge
When it comes to getting off work, he knows all the dodges.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the senses dither and haggle ): of unknown origin.