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

1. stay clear of, avoid
   • Keep your hands off my wife!
   • Keep your distance from this man--he is dangerous