skate over: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “skate over” mean?
To deliberately avoid dealing with a difficult issue or topic in a superficial or hurried way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To deliberately avoid dealing with a difficult issue or topic in a superficial or hurried way.
To move quickly past, gloss over, or treat a subject lightly without giving it the proper attention or depth it deserves.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically. The spelling 'skate over' is standard in both; 'skate around' is a more common near-synonym in American English.
Connotations
Identical connotations of negligence or superficiality in both varieties.
Frequency
More frequently encountered in British formal or political discourse, but well-understood in American English. Slightly higher frequency in UK.
Grammar
How to Use “skate over” in a Sentence
[Subject] skate over [Object (issue/problem/detail)][Subject] skate over the fact that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skate over” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was accused of skimming over the critical findings in the report.
- The documentary skated over the colonial history of the region.
American English
- The press release skated over the product's safety concerns.
- He tends to skate over any questions about his finances.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The CEO's speech skated over the recent decline in market share, focusing instead on future projects."
Academic
"The textbook skates over the methodological controversies in the field, presenting a simplified consensus view."
Everyday
"Whenever I ask about his plans, he just skates over the question and changes the subject."
Technical
Not typically used in technical/scientific contexts, where 'omit' or 'neglect to mention' are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skate over”
- Using 'skate on' or 'skate through' (which have different meanings).
- Confusing the object: 'He skated over about the problem' (incorrect) vs. 'He skated over the problem' (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very close synonyms. 'Skate over' often implies moving superficially *across* the top of an issue. 'Skate around' can imply avoiding the *center* or core of an issue by circling it. They are often used interchangeably.
No. 'Skate over' inherently carries a negative connotation of insufficient attention or deliberate avoidance. A positive synonym for moving past something quickly might be 'summarise briefly' or 'highlight.'
The most common error is a literal translation, resulting in nonsense like 'He skates over the lake about the problem.' Remember it is a metaphorical phrasal verb followed directly by the object (the issue being avoided).
It is a well-known and understood phrase, but it belongs to a more formal or critical register. You are more likely to encounter it in news analysis, academic critique, or political commentary than in casual conversation.
To deliberately avoid dealing with a difficult issue or topic in a superficial or hurried way.
Skate over is usually formal, academic, journalistic in register.
Skate over: in British English it is pronounced /ˌskeɪt ˈəʊ.vər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌskeɪt ˈoʊ.vɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gloss over”
- “brush under the carpet”
- “give short shrift to”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an ice skater gracefully and quickly moving over a crack in the ice instead of stopping to examine it. The skater avoids the problem.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFICULT ISSUES ARE OBSTACLES ON A SURFACE; SUPERFICIAL TREATMENT IS GLIDING OVER THEM.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'skate over' used CORRECTLY?