Fight shy of something/of doing something Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Avoidance Indicates avoiding something due to negative feelings rather than practical reasons. I fought shy of visiting the dentist after a painful experience. Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Discomfort Implies a quiet, internal discomfort, not always visible to others. He fought shy of discussing his salary, even though it bothered him. Pro Tip 3/3Situational Context Best used when referring to specific situations or topics one wants to avoid. Sarah fought shy of the topic of marriage whenever it came up.