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shy away

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shy away (from someone or something)

to avoid someone or something. The dog shies away from John since he kicked it. I can understand why the dog would shy away.

See also: away, shy

shy away

v.

1. To retreat out of a sense of shyness: The deer poked its head out from the bushes and then shied away when it saw me.

2. To avoid doing something, especially out of caution or anxiety: The company shied away from giving raises this year.

See also: away, shy