The minister avoided any mention of the issue of women's reservation in the private sector. He was accused of ______ the issue.
A. collaring
B. skirting
C. tying
D. belting
GATE 2019 · General Aptitude · Most Appropriate Word · medium
Answer: B. skirting
Understand the context: The minister 'avoided any mention' of the issue. The blank must mean the same as deliberately avoiding or evading. This is the definition of 'skirting an issue'.
Test each option: A. collaring = grabbing/catching (not avoidance). B. skirting = going around the edge of, avoiding (CORRECT). C. tying = binding (no relevant idiom). D. belting = hitting hard or singing loudly (no relevant idiom). Only B fits.