Duck the Issue

Examples:

1. Jane is ducking the issue under discussion. She is pretending she does not know what is being talked about.

2. You have always been honest with your girlfriend. She wants to know where you were last night. You were out with another girl, and you do not want her to know it. When she asks, you duck the issue.

3. Politicians are often accused of ducking the issues. They avoid clearly stating their position.

The verb "duck" here means to avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues). Other ways of saying this are: "He dodged the issue"; "she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully"