steer clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"steer clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to avoid or stay away from something, usually something dangerous or undesirable. For example: "If you don't want to get involved in the family argument, it's best to steer clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Steer clear.

The New York Times - Food

Anonymous Steer clear.

The New York Times

Buyers steer clear of them".

The New York Times

Steer clear of "congratulatory scorecards".

The New York Times

Any you steer clear of?

The New York Times - Books

Steer clear, guys!

The Guardian - Music

Petophobes, steer clear.

The New York Times - Style

Please - steer clear".

The Guardian - Tech

Everyone else, steer clear.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But steer clear of motion-pictures stars.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Steer clear of lame jokes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steer clear" when you want to emphasize avoiding something potentially dangerous, unpleasant, or problematic. It suggests a conscious and deliberate effort to stay away.

Common error

While "steer clear" is widely understood, it can sound too informal for highly professional or academic writing. In such cases, opt for alternatives like "avoid" or "refrain from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steer clear" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It typically modifies a clause by expressing the action of avoiding someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "steer clear" means to avoid something, typically to prevent negative outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While its register is generally neutral, caution should be exercised when employing it in strictly formal or academic writing. When a more formal tone is required, synonyms like "avoid" or "refrain from" may be more appropriate. With a "Very common" frequency, "steer clear" is a readily understood and useful addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay away from

This alternative emphasizes maintaining distance from something.

keep away from

This alternative is a more literal and less idiomatic way of saying "steer clear".

avoid

This alternative is a more general and less emphatic way of saying "steer clear".

give a wide berth

This alternative is more descriptive, suggesting leaving plenty of space to avoid something.

evade

This alternative implies skillful or strategic avoidance.

sidestep

This alternative suggests avoiding something, often a question or issue, by moving to the side.

bypass

This alternative implies going around something, often to avoid delay or difficulty.

dodge

This alternative suggests a quick or nimble movement to avoid something.

circumvent

This alternative suggests finding a way around something, often a rule or obstacle.

shun

This alternative implies deliberately avoiding someone or something, often due to disapproval.

FAQs

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

"Steer clear" is an idiomatic phrase meaning to avoid something. For example, "If you don't want to get caught in the rain, "steer clear" of the park during the storm."

What can I say instead of "steer clear"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid", "stay away from", or "keep away from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "steer clear of" or "steer clear from"?

"Steer clear of" is the correct and more common usage. While "steer clear from" might be understood, it's not standard English.

What's the difference between "steer clear" and "avoid"?

"Steer clear" often implies a potential danger or problem, whereas "avoid" is a more general term for keeping away from something.