a wide berth

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wide berth" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to keep a safe distance from something or someone. Example: "I always give that dog a wide berth when I walk by, it looks mean." In this sentence, the speaker is saying they keep a safe distance from the dog because it appears aggressive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Give him a wide berth.

The New Yorker

Classmates give him a wide berth.

The New York Times - Books

Give the buffalo a wide berth.

The Economist

Most gave him a wide berth.

The New York Times

I'd give them a wide berth.

The Guardian

I gave them a wide berth.

The Guardian - Travel

The soldiers gave it a wide berth.

The New York Times - Magazine

I give her a wide berth.

The Guardian

The World Bank has given the project a wide berth.

The Economist

From there Mr. Bruckheimer gives each program a wide berth.

The New York Times - Arts

First, roads need to give big forests a wide berth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wide berth" when you want to emphasize not just avoiding something, but also creating a comfortable and safe distance between yourself and it, especially if the thing is potentially dangerous or unpleasant.

Common error

Don't use "a wide berth" when simply avoiding something briefly. This phrase implies a sustained and considerable distance for safety or comfort; using it for minor or fleeting avoidance can sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wide berth" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's commonly used as a noun phrase following verbs like "give", "get", or "keep", indicating the action of avoiding something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wide berth" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that means to keep a safe distance from something or someone, often due to potential danger or unpleasantness. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that this phrase implies a deliberate and considerable distance. While alternatives like "keep a distance" or "steer clear of" exist, "a wide berth" specifically emphasizes the extent of the avoidance. Therefore, consider the context and the degree of avoidance you wish to convey to get the message across.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steer clear of

Suggests careful navigation to avoid something undesirable.

keep one's distance

General instruction to maintain spatial separation from another person or thing.

stay away from

Emphasizes avoidance, similar to giving space but more direct.

keep at arm's length

Maintains a safe, often metaphorical, distance.

keep a distance

Focuses on maintaining separation, removing the 'wide' aspect.

avoid contact with

Specifically focuses on preventing physical interaction.

give ample space

Highlights providing sufficient room, less about avoidance.

skirt around

Implies going around the edge of something to avoid direct engagement.

evade

Implies skillfully escaping or avoiding something.

sidestep

Suggests moving to the side to avoid something.

FAQs

How can I use "a wide berth" in a sentence?

You can use "a wide berth" to describe physically avoiding someone or something, such as "I gave the construction site "a wide berth" due to the heavy machinery". It can also be used metaphorically, like "The politician gave the controversial topic "a wide berth"".

What's a good alternative to "a wide berth"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "keep a distance", "stay away from", or "steer clear of" as alternatives to "a wide berth".

When is it appropriate to use "a wide berth"?

It's best to use "a wide berth" when describing a situation where you're deliberately creating a significant space or distance to avoid potential danger, discomfort, or conflict. If you're just briefly avoiding something, another phrase might be more appropriate.

Is "a wide berth" formal or informal?

"A wide berth" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig's examples show it appearing in news articles and casual conversation alike.