verb / noun
skive
SKYVE/skaɪv/
To avoid work, school, or duty, often by making excuses.
He skives off work whenever he thinks nobody will notice.
Etymology
The older movement sense developed into slipping away from a duty. Its deeper origin is uncertain; the leather-cutting word is not assumed to explain it.
More examples
- They skived off school and spent the afternoon fishing.
- Stop skiving and help us finish the job.
- He admits his sick day was really a skive.
Forms
skive · skives · skived · skiving
skiver noun — A person who avoids work or duty.