skate over

British  

verb

1. to cross on or as if on skates

2. to avoid dealing with (a matter) fully

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skate over Idioms  

1. Treat superficially or hurriedly, avoid mentioning, as in He concentrated on the main points of the contract and skated over the details. This idiom transfers the gliding motion of skating to dealing with something in a cursory way. [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

Representatives of both firms kept their public remarks vague Tuesday, skating over specific instances of corruption they may have come across and focusing instead on recommendations to strengthen county contracting.

From Los Angeles Times

The 29-year-old skates over 24 minutes a game for Toronto, and his contributions in all facets are difficult to replace.

From Seattle Times

It was actually Gourde, who skated over to center ice to do the honors, looking bemused.

From Seattle Times

‘Oppenheimer’ is right about some aspects of the Manhattan Project, wrong about others, and skates over aspects that you might find interesting.

From Los Angeles Times

When Robbie and Gosling, decked in shiny matching rollerblade costumes, find themselves in the real world, they skate over to the construction workers where Barbie experiences the all too relatable catcall.

From Salon