avoid stirring up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid stirring up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to refrain from causing trouble, conflict, or agitation in a situation. Example: "To maintain peace during the discussion, it's best to avoid stirring up any controversial topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We may never know and perhaps it's wise for him to avoid stirring up that hornet's nest again.

The New York Times

MUD leaders immediately condemned the murders and called off a planned demonstration to avoid stirring up animosity.

The Economist

The networks say they want to avoid stirring up unhappy memories or offending anyone involved in the Writers Guild of America strike.

The New York Times

Elected officials and business leaders have discussed airport expansion for years, but have been reluctant to broach the idea publicly to avoid stirring up opposition too soon, said Kathryn S. Wylde, the president of the Partnership for New York City.

The New York Times

The sediment was so fine that the craft had to proceed with great care, its thruster controls requiring "the finest of touches," to avoid stirring up clouds of blinding mud.

The New York Times - Science

Only 24 percent said that the country should "move forward and avoid stirring up the past".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

She avoided every appearance of an open rupture, however, and succeeding monarchs also avoided stirring up the issue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And, significantly, when he appeared last Thursday on the first edition of "Campus," a new literary television program that has replaced Bernard Pivot's celebrated "Bouillon de Culture," Mr. Houellebecq avoided stirring up more controversy.

The New York Times - Books

Ms. Sánchez is also well known worldwide, having won a number of awards for her efforts to create more room for public discourse in Cuba, so by approving her request to travel, Cuba has avoided stirring up a storm of criticism internationally.

The New York Times

Taste and add salt if needed, but avoid stirring the rice and vegetables much.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The trustee, Isabel Milano, eventually apologized for her decision, saying she had meant to avoid further controversy rather than stirring up more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When dealing with sensitive subjects, use "avoid stirring up" to recommend caution and prevent unwanted conflict. It suggests a proactive approach to maintaining harmony.

Common error

Don't use "avoid stirring up" when the situation requires direct confrontation or addressing underlying issues. Sometimes, confronting a problem is necessary for resolution, and avoiding it may lead to further complications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid stirring up" functions as a verb phrase that typically introduces a recommendation or strategy for preventing negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoid stirring up" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to recommend caution and prevent unwanted conflict or controversy. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and appropriate for use in written English. Its prevalence across diverse sources, including news media, encyclopedias, academic texts, and wikis, underscores its broad applicability. The phrase's function is primarily advisory, aiming to promote harmony and sidestep potential problems. While generally neutral in register, its specific application depends on context, highlighting the importance of considering the situation before advocating for avoidance. In situations where direct confrontation or issue resolution is necessary, it’s recommended you steer clear of provoking. Related phrases like "refrain from instigating" or "abstain from causing trouble" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, allowing for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steer clear of provoking

Emphasizes avoiding a specific action that might lead to a negative reaction.

refrain from instigating

Focuses on the act of initiating something negative, implying a more deliberate action.

shun triggering disputes

Emphasizes the act of actively avoiding situations that might initiate arguments.

abstain from causing trouble

Highlights the conscious decision to not create problems or disturbance.

prevent fomenting discord

Focuses on stopping to instigate or promote discord.

bypass generating controversy

Highlights the need to circumvent situations that could lead to disagreement or debate.

evade inciting unrest

Suggests actively working to prevent a state of disturbance or agitation.

desist from prompting conflict

Implies a formal or official setting where avoiding confrontation is crucial.

forbear from creating discord

Focuses on restraining oneself from causing disharmony or lack of agreement.

keep from arousing animosity

Focuses specifically on preventing feelings of hostility or resentment.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid stirring up" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid stirring up" to suggest preventing conflict or trouble. For example: "The politician tried to "avoid stirring up" controversy during the debate."

What's a good alternative to "avoid stirring up"?

Alternatives to "avoid stirring up" include phrases like "refrain from instigating", "steer clear of provoking", or "abstain from causing trouble", depending on the specific context.

Is it always best to "avoid stirring up" trouble?

While it's often wise to "avoid stirring up" unnecessary trouble, there are times when addressing an issue directly is necessary for resolution, even if it means creating some initial conflict.

What does it mean to "avoid stirring up" something?

To ""avoid stirring up"" something means to prevent a situation or issue from becoming more active, problematic, or controversial. It suggests maintaining a state of peace or stability by not provoking or instigating.