avoid at any cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid at any cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the importance of steering clear of something undesirable or harmful. Example: "In this project, we must avoid at any cost the mistakes we made last time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The clerical establishment now has the potential to directly challenge Khamenei, which the regime wants to avoid at any cost.

The New York Times

The northern Bashir government was seeking to avoid, at any cost, apparently even at the price of innocent Darfuri blood, the sharing of power with southern secularist politicians or the potential for southern independence.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he realised that weed was slowing his thought process and that was something he wanted to avoid at any cost.

Vice

Of course, as a budding contrarian you already know that you should probably reserve your grand, sweeping racial statements for ethnic and religious minorities, rather than white people, and that unless you're willing to do this you should avoid at any cost being from an ethnic or religious minority yourself.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Anyways, the moral of Absolut Deadmau5 is that selfies only slow you down and should be avoided at any cost.

Vice

This point, known as the singularity (a term coined by science fiction writer Vernor Vinge), is for some a goal to be aimed at (the 2045 Initiative, founded by Russian entrepreneur Dmitry Itskov in February 2011, aims to be able to transfer a human mind to a "non-biological carrier" by the date), and for others an outcome to be avoided at any costs.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We must be driven by the need to alleviate suffering and avoid at all costs any action that could increase suffering and prolong the conflict.

Independent

The basic message — to avoid at all costs any sign of skin infirmity — is the same, so why the headlong flight from this specific term, once so popular with those who sell to the geriatric set? "Age-defying is a much more encompassing term than anti-wrinkle," explains Rachel Hayes, beauty director at Cosmopolitan magazine.

The New York Times - Magazine

Elizabeth on the other hand, wanted him "to avoid at all costs any decisive action with the enemy".

Wikipedia

The kind I avoid at all cost.

Huffington Post

What you must avoid at all costs is any superfluous linking words (such as 'and') between the two parts of the double clue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avoid at any cost" to emphasize the critical importance of preventing a specific negative outcome. Ensure the context clearly justifies such a strong stance.

Common error

Avoid using "avoid at any cost" when the situation doesn't warrant such a drastic and unwavering stance. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid at any cost" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the necessity of preventing a specific action or outcome. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid at any cost" is a grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the critical importance of preventing a specific outcome. Ludwig confirms its correctness, while examples show its usage across contexts like news, personal advice, and political commentary. While "avoid at any cost" is not overly common, its strong implication of urgency makes it a useful phrase when emphasizing the importance of preventing something undesirable. Related alternatives include ""evade at all costs"" and ""steer clear no matter what"", offering varied ways to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steer clear no matter what

Highlights the importance of maintaining distance from something.

evade at all costs

Emphasizes eluding or escaping something, rather than simply avoiding it.

keep away at all hazards

Stresses the physical or metaphorical separation from something.

shun at any price

Implies a deliberate and strong rejection of something.

circumvent at all hazards

Suggests finding a way around something, potentially involving risk.

deter at any expense

Indicates preventing something by incurring any cost.

escape by any means

Focuses on the act of getting away from a dangerous or undesirable situation.

ward off no matter the sacrifice

Highlights the protective action and possible sacrifices involved.

forestall at any rate

Emphasizes preventing something from happening by acting in advance.

preclude regardless of consequence

Suggests making something impossible, even if there are negative outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid at any cost" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid at any cost" to emphasize the critical importance of preventing something negative. For example, "We must "avoid at any cost" repeating the mistakes of the past."

What does "avoid at any cost" mean?

"Avoid at any cost" means to make sure that something does not happen, regardless of the effort or sacrifices required.

What can I say instead of "avoid at any cost"?

You can use alternatives like "evade at all costs", "shun at any price", or "steer clear no matter what", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "avoid at all costs" or "avoid at any cost"?

Both "avoid at all costs" and "avoid at any cost" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference, though "avoid at all costs" is slightly more common.