be noncommittal

fudge sidestep waffle

duck equivocate evade flip-flop jive prevaricate pussyfoot quibble shuck shuffle stall stonewall temporize tergiversate

beat around the bush blow hot and cold cop a plea cop out give the runaround hem and haw pass the buck run around shilly-shally sit on the fence tergiverse

face meet

confront release

avoid creep dodge equivocate evade glide hedge lurk prevaricate prowl shuffle sidestep skirt skulk slide slink slip sneak steal tergiversate tiptoe

beat around the bush duck the issues hem and haw play it close to the vest sit on the fence tergiverse tread warily watch one's step weasel

confront face meet take on

plod