On the surface that seems like a great argument, but it's completely unnecessary.

The boss criticized him at the meeting, but it was just like water off a duck's back.

My colleagues believe that we should lecture the Chinese on what a bad thing they're doing, but not actually threaten sanctions, lest we start a trade war.

Dr Davy confidently bats away some obvious doubts about the results. There is no selection bias, she observes, since this is a randomised trial.

In this country, many economic complaints — from the widening gap between rich and poor to the expense of higher education — are being dusted for its fingerprints .