# artful dodger

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/artful-dodger
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A crafty person who commits minor crimes or behaves in a rather unscrupulous manner.

## Examples

- That artful dodger always finds a way to avoid paying his share.
- The manager suspected the artful dodger in the office was stealing supplies, but he never left any evidence behind.
- Despite his charming smile and polished manners, the local politician was known as an artful dodger who frequently manipulated the truth to escape accountability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.