avoid someone/something like the plague

avoid (someone or something) like the plague

To consciously stay away from someone or something. I didn't do my homework my last night, so I'm avoiding my teacher like the plague. My dog is terrified of cats and avoids them like the plague.
See also: avoid, like, plague
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

avoid someone/something like the plague

If you avoid someone or something like the plague, you do everything possible to avoid them. I would avoid him like the plague when his wife was around. The athlete must avoid all extra sugar like the plague. Note: The plague is bubonic plague, a disease which killed over 50 million people in Europe and Asia during the 14th century and was referred to as the Black Death.
See also: avoid, like, plague, someone, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • avoid (someone or something) like the plague
  • avoid like the plague
  • avoid somebody/something like the plague
  • dog ate my homework
  • dog ate my homework, the
  • the dog ate my homework
  • terrify or an animal out of
  • ate
  • suck (someone or something) into (something)
  • suck into