wide berth

wide berth

A good distance (between things, people, etc.). Originally referred to ships. Once I learned that there was a lice outbreak, I kept a wide berth from all of my students for the rest of the day. We've been keeping a wide berth from John ever since he dumped our good friend.
See also: berth, wide
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a wide berth

Ample space or distance to avoid an unwanted consequence: gave their angry colleague a wide berth.
See also: berth, wide
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • a wide berth
  • give a wide berth to (someone or something)
  • give somebody/something a wide berth
  • give someone or something a wide berth
  • give someone/something a wide berth
  • give (someone or something) a wide berth
  • give a wide berth
  • hop, skip, and a jump
  • dandruff
  • mint condition
References in periodicals archive
The majority of NASA governors and MPs gave Raila Odinga's oath a wide berth, exposing what could be a sharp division in the alliance.
Using boats that are smaller than their big brother cruise ships also means they can give traditional routes a wide berth as well as sailing to destinations tantalisingly out of the reach of the vast vessels.
DRIVERS were urged yesterday to give cyclists a wide berth in an effort to improve road safety.
Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn were right to give this farce of a programme a wide berth.
Or better still just give the whole thing a very wide berth. V Johnson, Shirley
Luckily, most on the ring road take a wide berth and avoid the empty shops and the council's barriers.
Therefore nine out of 10 cars enter that bus lane; one has to take a wide berth to avoid it.
As two of the world's top footballers, the Real Madrid and Barcelona stars should be giving the ciggies a wide berth.
I find that I often give a wide berth to articles to do with our military, but when I see [Scott Taylor's] byline, I know my attention will be rewarded with good information and thoughtful considerations.
Desperate to give Izzy a wide berth, Gary persuades Jason to go for a few drinks with him.
It asked vessels in the area to give it a wide berth.
According to Sport24, the fast bowler sported the moustache during his country's 5-0 Ashes drubbing of the hapless English and has elected to give his razor a wide berth ahead of the first Test against the No 1-ranked South Africa starting on Wednesday, February 12 at Centurion Park.
The 23-year-old has also been quick to point out he has frequently been asked to fill a wide berth. "Danny would say he wants to be a striker but he is very good there," said Moyes.
The sharks, which can grow to the size of a double decker bus, and which are common between the Smalls, off Pembrokeshire, appear to be giving UK seas a wide berth.
Tying something yellow - such as a ribbon - on to a lead, indicates to other people and dog owners that they must give this dog a wide berth and not get too close.