Hedge meaning in English

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Definition

to hedge (the issue): to avoid, to evade (the issue) verb
During the presidential debate, both candidates hedged questions about global warming. They avoided some and refused to answer others.
a hedge (against inflation): protection (against inflation) noun
As a hedge against potential losses, I sold all my technology stocks. I did it to protect myself against losing my money.
Another meaning:
a hedge a line of bushes or small trees planted close together

UK: Please don't hedge the issue, young man.
US: You'd better hedge your bets in the future.

Examples

  • "I'm not one to hedge the issue, so I will simply come out and say it: several of you have abused our copier and as a direct result of your abuse, brought it to an untimely end."
Exercise 1
Polly writes that she isn't the type of person who "hedges the issue".

What does she mean by this?
Polly writes that she isn't the type of person who "hedges the issue".

What does she mean by this?
Although as a noun, "a hedge" is a type of plant, as a verb, "to hedge" means to avoid or evade. An "issue" is a problem or a concern.
This explanation does not reflect the meaning of the idiom "to hedge the issue". Someone who "forgives and forgets" is willing to excuse past problems and move on.
Although Polly is committed to many causes and issues, this explanation does not reflect the meaning of the idiom "to hedge the issue".
"To hedge the issue" is an expression which means to avoid or evade a question or problem. Polly writes that she is not the type of person who does this. In other words, she always addresses issues which must be addressed. An "issue" is a problem or matter.

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