veer away

USAGE SUMMARY

"veer away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom meaning to turn or move in a different direction, typically to avoid something. Example sentence: We had to veer away from the accident scene in order to get to our destination on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Most will veer away, though.

The New Yorker

If they veer away they are lost.

The Guardian - Sport

Silence sets in when gulls veer away.

The New York Times - Books

"It's pretty natural for me to veer away from that".

The New York Times - Arts

He is destroying those who would veer away.

The New York Times

California continues to veer away from much of the nation by adopting immigrant-friendly policies.

University of California, Berkeley

After his death the prints often began to veer away from the originals.

The Economist

The three then veer away, crossing Seventh Avenue as the bomber flees.

The New York Times

Indecent, noisy, exuberant celebrant of social types we would veer away from in private life.

Independent

In contrast to eigenvalues, singular values do not veer away by introducing a disorder in weakly coupled systems.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Far more interesting are the works that veer away from scenery and enter more subjective territory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts, "veer away" can add nuance by implying a deliberate avoidance of a particular outcome or idea.

Common error

Avoid using "veer away" simply as a synonym for "turn". "Veer away" implies a deliberate action to avoid something, while "turn" is a more general term for changing direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "veer away" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating a change in direction or course, often to avoid something. Ludwig examples show its use in both literal and figurative contexts. It suggests a deliberate movement to evade a specific path or outcome, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "veer away" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a change in direction or course, typically to avoid something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its frequency is high, especially in News & Media. While applicable in both literal and figurative contexts, it's important to distinguish its specific connotation of deliberate avoidance from simpler directional changes. When aiming to convey deviation or evasion, "veer away" provides a nuanced and effective option, particularly when highlighting the intention to steer clear of an undesirable path or result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviate from

Focuses on straying from a defined path or standard.

diverge from

Emphasizes a branching out or separation in direction or opinion.

stray from

Suggests a wandering or unintentional departure from a set course.

turn aside

Implies a deliberate act of changing direction, often to avoid something.

shy away from

Indicates reluctance or a desire to avoid something due to fear or discomfort.

recoil from

Conveys a sudden movement away from something unpleasant or shocking.

draw back from

Implies a gradual withdrawal or retreat from a situation.

move away from

A more literal and less idiomatic way of expressing a change in direction or focus.

break with

Indicates a complete and often abrupt departure from a tradition or belief.

distance oneself from

Suggests a conscious effort to create emotional or social separation.

FAQs

How can I use "veer away" in a sentence?

You can use "veer away" to describe a change in direction, opinion, or behavior, typically to avoid something. For example, "The car had to "swerve" to veer away from the pothole" or "The politician "diverged from" the prepared speech to veer away from controversial topics".

What phrases are similar to "veer away"?

Similar phrases include "deviate from", "diverge from", "stray from", and "turn aside". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "veer away from" or just "veer away"?

Both forms are correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Veer away" can stand alone when the context is clear. "Veer away from" is used when you need to specify what is being avoided.

Can "veer away" be used in a figurative sense?

Yes, "veer away" is often used figuratively to describe a change in opinion, strategy, or behavior. For example, "The company decided to deviate from its original plan and veer away from its initial marketing strategy".