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Free sign upThe phrase "give a wide berth to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to avoid or keep away from someone or something. You can use this phrase in situations where you want to express the act of avoiding or staying away from something or someone. For example: - After the incident, I decided to give him a wide berth to avoid any potential conflicts. - The students were instructed to give a wide berth to the construction site until the project was completed. - She always gives a wide berth to any kind of drama or gossip. - We should give a wide berth to that restaurant, their food is always overpriced. - The villagers were warned to give a wide berth to the abandoned house on the outskirts of the town.
Idiom
Wide berth.
If you give someone a wide berth, you keep yourself well away from them because they are dangerous.
Exact(8)
By tradition these reports give a wide berth to dictators.
The menace of the man is still pronounced; his glowering presence is something you'd give a wide berth to on the night bus.
Usually it's expressed in humour – but when you go on to the next job, everyone knows which are the dressing rooms to give a wide berth to.
Spundwick's Fret (Frotapicus spundwicki) The Fret was a bird to give a wide berth to; one of the main reasons it became extinct was that no one wanted to give birth to it any more.
If it wishes to remain the world's pre-eminent power in the 21st century, it must give a wide berth to the Kosovos, Somalias and East Timors that constantly cry for its attention.
(Johnson) ★ 'Time Again' (closes on Monday) In this contest between curatorial imagination and curatorial pretension, imagination mostly triumphs, especially if you give a wide berth to the arcane discussions in the catalog and a belabored show-within-the-show.
Similar(52)
He tosses a sheepish grin and gives a wide berth to the group of substantial men.
Still another objects to scents, so Ms. Costantino gives a wide berth to fabric softener.
"He's given a wide berth to both the economic planners and the market reformers.
He's also given a wide berth to the state security apparatus".
Grouped with his family on a sunny mid-western hillside, Mr Lange gives a wide berth to party politics.
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.
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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com