Phrasal verb
skate over
Definition
phrasal verb. to avoid talking about a difficult subject in detail because you want to keep things simple or hide a problem.
phrasal verb. to treat a subject superficially or avoid dealing with a difficult issue in depth. Transitive; often used when a speaker or writer glosses over problematic details to maintain a narrative flow.
Examples
“The report skates over the real reasons for the failure.”
“During the meeting, the manager tried to skate over the budget cuts and focus only on the new projects.”
“The biographer chose to skate over the subject's controversial early years, focusing instead on his later philanthropic achievements.”
Examples
simple
“The report skates over the real reasons for the failure.”
contextual
“During the meeting, the manager tried to skate over the budget cuts and focus only on the new projects.”
complex
“The biographer chose to skate over the subject's controversial early years, focusing instead on his later philanthropic achievements.”
Usage
usually followed by a noun phrase representing a problem, detail, or difficult topic.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'gloss over' (very similar) and 'delve into' (the opposite); the metaphor comes from ice skating quickly over thin ice to avoid falling through.
Pitfall
He skated over of the problem.
He skated over the problem.
the phrase is a transitive phrasal verb and does not require an extra preposition like 'of' before the object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
over
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
skate + over + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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