петля́ть

rare #11960

verbimperfective

1.
to wind, to meander, to twist and turn
Доро́га петля́ет по луга́м.
The road winds through the meadows.
Of roads, rivers, paths.
2.
to zigzag, to double back, to dodge
За́яц петля́л по по́лю, убега́я от лиси́цы.
The hare zigzagged across the field as it fled from the fox.
Of an animal or person trying to confuse a pursuer.
3.
to be evasive, to beat about the bush, to prevaricate
Не петля́й, говори́ пра́вду.
Don't beat about the bush, tell the truth.
Colloquial.

Examples

Заяц петлял по снегу, убегая от лисы.
The hare zigzagged across the snow as it fled from the fox.
Он петлял, не желая отвечать прямо.
He kept evading the question because he didn’t want to answer directly.
Дорога петляла между высокими горами.
The road wound its way between the high mountains.

Imperative
ты	петля́й
вы	петля́йте

Active present	петля́ющий	looping, winding, meandering
Active past	петля́вший	looping, meandering, winding, zig-zagging
Passive present	-
Passive past	-
Gerund present	петля́я	while doing (present)
Gerund past	петляв петлявши	while doing (past)