Skirting disaster
Meaning
To narrowly avoid a catastrophic or very serious situation.
Origin
The verb 'to skirt' originally referred to moving along the border or edge of something, much like a garment skirts the body. This literal sense, dating back to the 17th century, created a visual of staying on the periphery, not directly engaging. Over time, this evolved metaphorically to describe the act of deliberately avoiding a central issue, a difficult topic, or, most dramatically, a perilous outcome. Thus, 'skirting disaster' conjures a vivid image: you're not out of danger entirely, but rather dancing perilously along its very edge, managing by luck or skill to avoid falling into its depths and suffer the full, devastating impact of a catastrophe.
Examples
- The pilot managed to land the plane safely after an engine failure, effectively skirting disaster for all passengers aboard.
- By implementing strict safety protocols, the company was able to consistently skirt disaster in its hazardous manufacturing process.