steer around

USAGE SUMMARY

"steer around" is a valid phrase used in written English.
It is generally understood to mean "change direction or avoid something". For example, you might say, "The driver steered around the obstacle in the road to prevent an accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The crass, consumer- crazy 1980s have left behind a toxic wasteland of cultural debris for us all to steer around, but one of its most dismal legacies has to be the preponderance of fading superstars from that era who simply can't accept that their golden years are now behind them.

The Guardian - Music

How does SoftBank decide who to fund, and who to steer around?

TechCrunch

It can then turn back into a car and steer around and even has a wifi camera on it so you can see what the world's like from a Transformer's perspective.

Vice

This allows your car to "drift" or steer around without losing speed.

WikiHow

Instead of slowly sinking, why not steer around the iceberg?

The New Yorker

Knowing the pitfalls to look for can help you steer around them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Other flights over the South Atlantic that day steered around the bad weather.

Independent

And beyond that, these lines are steered around very slow spirals or bending graphs.

Independent

We steered around great hulking bins of throw pillows in coordinated fabrics.

The New York Times

A dead, crushed thing appeared in the road, and Graham steered around it.

The New Yorker

Other handset-makers steered around Apple in a different way, showing giant smartphones that double as mini-tablets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific type of obstacle or challenge being avoided. "Steer around" works well for physical obstacles and abstract difficulties.

Common error

While "steer around" is generally acceptable, in formal or professional writing, consider more precise synonyms like "navigate", "circumvent", or "mitigate" for enhanced clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steer around" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, combining the action of steering with the preposition "around" to indicate the act of avoiding something, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides ample examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "steer around" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the act of avoiding something, be it a physical obstacle or a metaphorical challenge. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. When using "steer around", focus on emphasizing a deliberate and controlled avoidance action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

navigate around

Focuses more on the act of carefully directing a course, especially through a complex environment.

circumvent

Implies finding a way around an obstacle or difficulty, often cleverly or strategically.

evade

Suggests avoiding something, often with a sense of urgency or stealth.

bypass

Emphasizes going around something to avoid direct contact or involvement.

detour around

Specifically refers to taking an alternate route to avoid a blockage or hazard.

sidestep

Implies avoiding an issue or question, often skillfully or tactfully.

skirt around

Similar to sidestep, but with a connotation of avoiding something without directly addressing it.

work around

Indicates finding a solution to a problem by adapting or modifying the approach.

dance around

Suggests avoiding a direct answer or commitment, often in a playful or evasive manner.

hedge around

Implies protecting oneself by avoiding a direct or clear statement.

FAQs

How can I use "steer around" in a sentence?

You can use "steer around" to describe physically avoiding an obstacle, like "The driver had to steer around a fallen tree in the road", or to describe avoiding a problem or difficult situation, as in "The company managed to steer around the financial crisis by diversifying its investments".

What is a good alternative for "steer around" in a business context?

In a business context, you might prefer more formal alternatives such as "mitigate", "circumvent", or "navigate" depending on the specific situation.

What's the difference between "steer around" and "go around"?

"Steer around" implies a more deliberate and controlled action to avoid something, whereas "go around" can be more general and less precise in its meaning. "Steer around" often suggests skillful maneuvering.

Is "steer around" appropriate for academic writing?

While acceptable, "steer around" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "circumvent" or "bypass" to maintain a higher level of formality.