distance oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distance oneself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of creating emotional or physical separation from someone or something. Example: "In order to focus on her own well-being, she decided to distance herself from toxic relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It is subtler to sanitize one's voting record in order to distance oneself from an unpopular President, or to delete broken campaign promises).

The New Yorker

Since launching in 2013 with a core audience in Moscow, it has covered topics from feminism to body image and "female misogyny", the impulse to distance oneself from women in order to succeed in a man's world.

The Guardian

(It is not subtle to change Senator Robert Byrd's age from eighty-eight to a hundred and eighty. It is subtler to sanitize one's voting record in order to distance oneself from an unpopular President, or to delete broken campaign promises).

The New Yorker

Finding a more direct link to the big society, however, would have involved tapping into the nostalgia for 19th century voluntarism in welfare that flourished within the 1980s new right – a little awkward when one is trying to distance oneself from the era of "Victorian values", "no such thing as society", and all that.

The Guardian - Opinion

So it is tempting to use 'physicalism' to distance oneself from what seems a historically important but no longer scientifically relevant thesis of materialism, and related to this, to emphasize a connection to physics and the physical sciences.

SEP

Indeed, these seemingly opposing positions are not mutually exclusive; one could, for example, seek to distance oneself from perceived corrupt political machinations, find meaning in spiritual pursuits, and engage in political renewal.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Distancing oneself from racism and anti-Americanism should come easily to a presidential candidate.

The New York Times

Very strange, for instance, was this business of distancing oneself from patients in order to obtain what was thought of as a crucial objectivity.

The New York Times - Health

She recognizes that writing can be "a way of distancing oneself from human life and maybe even a way of controlling human life," she said.

The New Yorker

In China, however, distancing oneself from ideology is itself a political act, and audiences still look for hidden political and social commentary in Mr. Lin's plays.

The New York Times

Distancing oneself from potential intimacy can also be seen as "chill", a romanticised state of passivity that "rationalises self-centredness as an acceptable by-product of too many choices".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distance oneself" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of creating space, either physically or emotionally, from a situation, person, or idea. For instance: "To maintain objectivity, it's crucial to "distance oneself" from personal biases."

Common error

Avoid using "distance oneself" when the intended meaning is a psychological detachment from reality. While "distance oneself" implies a deliberate separation, "dissociate oneself" suggests a more profound and potentially involuntary detachment from one's thoughts, feelings, or sense of self. Use "dissociate oneself" only if the context involves a mental health aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distance oneself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of distancing is directed back to the subject. It typically indicates a deliberate act of creating space, either physically or emotionally, between the subject and something else. Ludwig AI confirms its common use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distance oneself" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of creating separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across a range of contexts. It emphasizes a deliberate effort to create space, be it physical or emotional, for various reasons like maintaining objectivity or protecting oneself. While synonyms like "separate oneself" and "withdraw from" exist, it's important to choose the word that best reflects the intended nuance. The phrase is prevalent in scientific and news-related content, indicating its wide applicability. It is important to make the distinction of "dissociate oneself" when relating to a detachment from one's psychological state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separate oneself

Focuses on the act of becoming distinct or disconnected from something.

withdraw from

Emphasizes the act of retreating or removing oneself from involvement.

disassociate oneself

Highlights the act of severing ties or connections with something, often implying disapproval.

detach oneself

Implies a conscious effort to become emotionally or mentally uninvolved.

stand apart

Suggests maintaining a distinct and independent position or identity.

set oneself apart

Focuses on intentionally distinguishing oneself from others.

alienate oneself

Indicates creating distance through one's actions, potentially leading to isolation.

extricate oneself

Suggests freeing oneself from a difficult or entangling situation.

divorce oneself

Implies a formal or decisive separation from something.

segregate oneself

Focuses on creating a physical or social barrier between oneself and others.

FAQs

How can I use "distance oneself" in a sentence?

The phrase "distance oneself" is used to describe the act of creating emotional or physical separation from someone or something. For example: "She needed to "distance oneself" from the project to regain perspective."

What's the difference between "distance oneself" and "separate oneself"?

While both phrases imply creating a divide, "distance oneself" often suggests a more strategic or intentional removal, while "separate oneself" can refer to a more general act of becoming distinct or disconnected.

When is it appropriate to "distance oneself" from a situation?

It's appropriate to "distance oneself" when emotional involvement is hindering objective judgment, when needing to protect oneself from negative influences, or when re-evaluating one's priorities.

What are some synonyms for "distance oneself"?

Some synonyms for "distance oneself" include "withdraw from", "disassociate oneself", and "detach oneself", each carrying slightly different connotations of separation.