What does "dance around" mean (sense 1)?

To move around a person or object in a lively, energetic way. Example: "The children danced around the maypole, weaving the ribbons in and out."

What does "dance around" mean (sense 2)?

To avoid addressing a topic or issue directly, speaking around it without getting to the point. Example: "The politician kept dancing around the question of tax increases without giving a clear answer."

What does "dance around" mean (sense 3)?

To move or act around a person or situation with great enthusiasm or in an attempt to please them. Example: "Everyone at the office danced around the new director, trying to make a good impression."

Browse all

dance around

B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive

To move around something in a lively way, or figuratively, to avoid directly addressing a topic or issue.

In plain English

To keep moving around something, or to keep avoiding a subject without saying it directly.

What does "dance around" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 A2 neutral

common

To move around a person or object in a lively, energetic way.

"The children danced around the maypole, weaving the ribbons in and out."

inseparable

2 B1 idiomatic neutral

common

To avoid addressing a topic or issue directly, speaking around it without getting to the point.

"The politician kept dancing around the question of tax increases without giving a clear answer."

“

"We've been dancing around this issue for too long."

inseparable

3 B2 idiomatic informal

uncommon

To move or act around a person or situation with great enthusiasm or in an attempt to please them.

"Everyone at the office danced around the new director, trying to make a good impression."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To dance in circles around someone or something.

Actually means

To keep moving around something, or to keep avoiding a subject without saying it directly.

Usage tip

The figurative sense is very common in conversation and journalism ('dancing around the issue'). The literal sense describes physical movement. Both senses are used in British and American English equally.

Words that pair with "dance around"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

issue topic question subject point problem

How to conjugate "dance around"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

dance around

I/you/we/they

3rd person

dances around

he/she/it

Past simple

danced around

yesterday

Past participle

danced around

have + pp

-ing form

dancing around

continuous

Hear "dance around" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "dance around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "dance" All phrasal verbs with "around" More B1-level phrasal verbs