stay away
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: * To remain at a distance from someone or something; to avoid going to a place or being near a person or thing. It implies a deliberate choice to not approach or become involved.
Usage
The verb "stay away" is used to give a warning, a piece of advice, or a statement about one's own actions regarding maintaining distance. It is often followed by the preposition "from" to specify what is being avoided. * Pattern: stay away (from someone/something) * It is commonly used in imperative sentences (commands or strong advice).
Examples
- Basic Usage:
- The sign says "Danger: High Voltage," so we should stay away.
- I'm trying to stay away from sugary drinks this month.
- You need to stay away from that part of town at night.
- Imperative/Command:
- Stay away from the edge of the cliff; it's not safe.
- I told him to stay away from my sister.
Advanced Usage
- "to stay well away": An emphatic form stressing the importance of keeping a significant or safe distance.
- When handling chemicals, stay well away from your face and eyes.
- "to stay away in droves": An idiomatic expression meaning a large number of people are choosing not to attend or participate.
- After the scandal, customers stayed away in droves.
Variants and Related Words
- Stay-at-home (adj/noun): Describing a person who rarely goes out or a policy of remaining in one's home.
- During the pandemic, many people became stay-at-home workers.
- Stay-in (adj): Referring to an activity done at home.
- We're having a stay-in movie night.
Synonyms
- Keep away: To remain at a distance (very similar in meaning and use).
- Avoid: To keep away from or stop oneself from doing something (more general).
- Steer clear of: To deliberately avoid something, like navigating around an obstacle (idiomatic).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Stay back: To remain behind, often at a safe distance.
- Stay back! The building could collapse at any moment.
- Stay out: To not come home; to avoid going into a place.
- He was told to stay out of his father's office.
- Keep out: A stronger, often imperative, warning not to enter a place.
- The fence had a sign that read "Keep out! Private Property."
Related Idioms
- Give (something/someone) a wide berth: To avoid something or someone by a large margin.
- He's in a terrible mood today; I'd give him a wide berth.
- Keep your distance: To maintain a physical or emotional space from someone or something.
- It's best to keep your distance from wild animals.
Verb
- stay clear of, avoid
- Keep your hands off my wife!
- Keep your distance from this man--he is dangerous