steer clear of, to
steer clear of
Stay away from, avoid, as in Dad warned us to steer clear of Dr. Smith and his poor advice. This idiom alludes to guiding a vessel away from some obstacle. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1723.
See also: clear, of, steer
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
steer clear of
take care to avoid or keep away from. 2002 ChartAttack Live Reviews If you're looking for Hollywood gloss and spectacle, steer clear of this film.
See also: clear, of, steer
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
steer clear of
To stay away from; avoid.
See also: clear, of, steer
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
steer clear of, to
To avoid. This term comes from its literal use in sailing in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries (Daniel Defoe used it in Colonel Jacque, 1723) and was being used figuratively by the late eighteenth century. George Washington said, in his farewell address (1796), “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliance with any portion of the foreign world.”
See also: clear, steer
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- are we away
- Are we away?
- away
- draw away
- do away with
- do away with (someone, something, or oneself)
- draw away from (someone or something)
- dwindle away
- dawdle away
- drift away