dodging

Dodging is the act of avoiding or evading something, typically a person, object, or event, by making quick, evasive movements or by altering one’s path. In physical contexts, dodging aims to reduce contact, avoid impact, or navigate hazards. Effective dodging relies on situational awareness, timing, footwork, balance, and spatial judgment.

In sports and combat, dodging is a fundamental technique. Athletes and fighters use lateral steps, pivots, feints, and changing tempo to avoid attacks or obstacles. In video games and interactive media, dodge mechanics allow characters to evade damage through movement or special actions, often governed by cooldowns, stamina costs, or invulnerability frames.

In photography and printing, dodging describes a darkroom technique to control exposure on a print. By shielding areas from enlarger light during development, a photographer lightens those portions. Dodging is commonly paired with burning, which darkens targeted areas, to achieve desired tonal balance.

In finance and law, "tax dodging" refers to illegal tax evasion, while legitimate tax avoidance uses legal methods to minimize tax liability. The term can carry a negative connotation when it implies unlawful activities or aggressive schemes.

In everyday language, dodging can also mean evading questions, responsibilities, or commitments. Across contexts, dodging involves deliberate, time-sensitive actions to reduce risk, exposure, or obligation, often balancing speed with precision.