keep one's distance

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Thân thiện
Definition

Verb phrase: - To maintain a physical or emotional separation from someone or something; to avoid getting too close or involved.

Usage

This phrase is used to describe the act of deliberately staying away from a person, place, or situation, often due to perceived danger, a desire for privacy, or to avoid involvement. * It is important to keep your distance from wild animals. * After their argument, she decided to keep her distance from him for a while.

Examples
  • Physical Distance:
    • The sign warned visitors to keep their distance from the electrical equipment.
    • He's contagious, so please keep your distance.
  • Emotional/Social Distance:
    • She keeps her distance from office gossip.
    • I advise you to keep your distance from that controversial project.
Advanced Usage
  • "to keep a safe distance": Emphasizes the reason for the separation is safety.
    • Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
  • "to keep one's distance from": Often followed by the object being avoided.
    • It's wise to keep your distance from trouble.
Variants and Related Words
  • Keep away (from) (phrasal verb): To avoid going near.
    • Keep away from the edge of the cliff.
  • Steer clear (of) (idiom): To deliberately avoid someone or something.
    • You should steer clear of that part of town at night.
Synonyms
  • Avoid: To stay away from.
  • Shun: To persistently avoid, ignore, or reject.
Related Idioms
  • Give (someone/something) a wide berth: To keep well away from.
    • The ships gave the rocky coast a wide berth.
Verb
  1. stay clear of, avoid
    • Keep your hands off my wife!
    • Keep your distance from this man--he is dangerous

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