I almost always give PCs a few skill options when they are trying to accomplish something or figure something out. If they come across the corpse of something killed by a poisonous plant creature they haven't encountered yet, I'll say something like "anyone proficient in Nature, Survival, or Medicine can describe how they are examining the body then give me a check." I also lean hard into the "anyone proficient in XXX can give me a check..." because I got tired of playing wizards who have studied magic their whole lives regularly not knowing something the fighter did because of bad rolls!
Regarding the specific issue mentioned several times of Acrobatics vs. Athletics, in many (most?) cases I allow the PCs to use either. Forcing open a door might always be strength, but remaining standing on a ship buffeted by a storm can be either (core and leg strength are key to balance after all, and most "athletes" train in how NOT to be knocked over).
Of course, my gaming group and I have been DMing since the 70s (me) and the 80s-90s (most of them) and together on/off for 20+ years so that probably plays into it.
Regarding the specific issue mentioned several times of Acrobatics vs. Athletics, in many (most?) cases I allow the PCs to use either. Forcing open a door might always be strength, but remaining standing on a ship buffeted by a storm can be either (core and leg strength are key to balance after all, and most "athletes" train in how NOT to be knocked over).
Of course, my gaming group and I have been DMing since the 70s (me) and the 80s-90s (most of them) and together on/off for 20+ years so that probably plays into it.