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3. fight shy of

fight shy of

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fight shy of something/doing something

to try to avoid something He fought shy of entering his poems in the competition, although everyone said he should. Ellen fights shy of parties - she hates crowds.

See also: fight, of, shy

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

fight shy of

To avoid meeting or confronting.

See also: fight, of, shy