fence with

Avoid answering directly, try to evade, as in The mayor was very clever at fencing with the press about his future plans. This expression transfers the parry and thrust of fencing to a verbal exchange. [Second half of 1600s]

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Goddard	GAHD-ərd	English (Rare)
Pythagoras	pi-THAG-ər-əs (English)	Ancient Greek
Nikita (2)	-	Indian, Marathi, Hindi
Frank (2)	FRANGK	English
Chrysanthe	-	Ancient Greek
Tamandani	tah-mahn-DAH-nee	Southern African, Chewa