parry vs sidestep

parry

verb
  • To avoid, deflect, or ward off (an attack, a blow, an argument, etc.). 

noun
  • A simple defensive action designed to deflect an attack, performed with the forte of the blade. 

  • A defensive move intended to change the direction of an incoming strike to make it miss its intended target, rather than block and absorb it; and typically performed with an open hand in a downward or sideways slapping motion. 

  • A defensive or deflective action; an act of parrying. 

sidestep

verb
  • To avoid or dodge. 

  • To step to the side. 

noun
  • A physical motion or metaphorical act to avoid or dodge something. 

  • A step to the side. 

How often have the words parry and sidestep occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )