PhrasesHub

Keep a wide berth

    Definitions

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

      • avoid someone or something
        To stay far away from a person, place, or thing, usually to avoid trouble or conflict

    Examples of Keep a wide berth

    • The protesters warned us to keep a wide berth as they planned to block the main road with their demonstration.

      This idiom is used to suggest that we should maintain a safe distance from the protesters and avoid getting caught in their blockade. WE can interpret "wide berth" as leaving ample space between us and the protesters, as a precautionary measure.

    • His sharp tongue can be quite intimidating, so it's best to keep a wide berth from him during heated debates.

      In this example, "wide berth" is used to describe a safe distance that we should maintain from the person's intimidating behavior. It suggests that we should avoid infuriating him or getting into arguments with him, as his response could be unpredictable and potentially hostile.

    • The skunk had sprayed its odor all over the street, prompting the police to alert passersby to keep a wide berth for their safety.

      The skunk's strong odor has the potential to be dangerous and cause respiratory problems, hence the need to maintain a safe distance from the area. The idiom "keep a wide berth" reinforces this message and emphasizes the importance of avoiding the area to prevent any unwanted effects.

    • The toxic substance was dangerous and required a wide berth to prevent any adverse effects.

      This example uses "keep a wide berth" to suggest that we should maintain a safe distance from the toxic substance to prevent any unwanted exposure. The idiom reinforces the severity of the risk and highlights the importance of taking precautions to avoid any potential hazard.

    • The sailor cautiously navigated around the huge oil tanker, keeping a wide berth to avoid any collisions.

      "Keep a wide berth" is a nautical term that means to maintain a safe distance from an obstacle to avoid danger. In this example, the sailor is applying this idiom to ensure a safe distance from the oil tanker to avoid any accidental collisions.

    • The farmer carefully avoided the crazed bull, keeping a wide berth in case it charged.

      When dealing with a dangerous animal, it's important to keep a safe distance. In this example, the farmer uses "keep a wide berth" to indicate that he's maintaining a safe distance from the bull to avoid any sudden charges or attacks.

    • The people crossing the busy street kept a wide berth from the speeding car, watching as it zoomed by.

      In this example, "keep a wide berth" is used to describe how people avoid getting too close to a dangerous situation, in this case, the speeding car.

    • The city officials urged the public to keep a wide berth from the toxic waste site, warning of dangerous fumes and pollutants.

      When dealing with hazardous materials, it's essential to maintain a safe distance. In this example, "keep a wide berth" is used to communicate the warning to stay away from the toxic waste site due to the dangerous pollutants and fumes in the area.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "keep a wide berth" can be used to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or to advise against getting involved with something that may not have a positive outcome. It can also be used to simply mean avoiding someone or something to prevent any potential trouble or conflict.

    Origin of "Keep a wide berth"

    The phrase "keep a wide berth" has nautical origins and comes from the practice of giving a wide clearance to other ships or obstacles in order to avoid a collision. This phrase was originally used in the context of sailing, where it was important for ships to maintain a safe distance from each other to prevent accidents. Over time, the expression has been adapted to convey the idea of keeping a safe distance from people or things in order to avoid problems or conflicts. The idiom has since become a common part of the English language, used in both literal and figurative contexts to emphasize the importance of maintaining distance to prevent negative outcomes.