shirk
To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etcTo avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
» We can't shirk our responsibility.
Meaning
3 senses(transitive)To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
sich drücken, umgehen, meiden
сачкова́тьsačkovátʹ, ло́дырничатьlódyrničatʹ, безде́льничатьbezdélʹničatʹ
(intransitive)To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.
If you have a job, don't shirk from it by staying off work.
September 7, 1830, Lord Byron, letter to Mr. Murray One of the cities shirked from the league.
(transitive)To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.
- avoid dealing with
- avoid (one's assigned duties)
Examples
8 sentencesWe can't shirk our responsibility.
We won't shirk our responsibilities.
deWir werden uns nicht vor der Verantwortung drücken. — Yorwba
A father shouldn't shirk his responsibilities to his children.
Батько не повинен уникати відповідальності перед власними дітьми. — shanghainese
ruОтец не должен избегать ответственности за собственных детей. — odexed
Idir is not someone who shirks work.
Carlos is a hardworking colleague who never shirks responsibilities.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
First use appears c. 1633, in the publications of Shackerley Marmion, apparently from assoFirst use appears c. 1633, in the publications of Shackerley Marmion, apparently from association with shark (verb), or otherwise directly from German Schurke (“rogue, knave”).
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Forms
shirks, shirking, shirked, shirkedSynonyms
19 synonymsWord family
8 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle