aloof from

aloof from

Emotionally or physically distant from someone. I've never seen the CEO before—he stays pretty aloof from the rest of us. I don't think Holly is ready to talk about her breakup yet—she's been keeping aloof from all of her friends.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*aloof from someone or something

being remote or distant from someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; keep ~; remain ~; stay ~.) She tends to keep aloof from the rest of us. Ken stays aloof from other committee members between meetings.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • catch a tiger by the tail
  • chain of command
  • bring (someone) to heel
  • bring someone to heel
  • bring to heel
  • call (someone) to heel
  • blame for
  • blame for (something)
  • blamed
  • conspire with (someone) against (something or someone)
References in classic literature
Now the earthenware pot tried its best to keep aloof from the brass one, which cried out: "Fear nothing, friend, I will not strike you."
Nevertheless I will go, that I may see my dear son and learn what sorrow has befallen him though he is still holding aloof from battle."
After the eager rivalry and almost hostility displayed by these companies in their late campaigns, it might be expected that, when thus brought in juxtaposition, they would hold themselves warily and sternly aloof from each other, and, should they happen to come in contact, brawl and bloodshed would ensue.
Nicholas felt himself irredeemably indebted to Sonya for all she was doing for his mother and greatly admired her patience and devotion, but tried to keep aloof from her.
It is true that I have never cared greatly for 'On the Heights,' which in its dealing with royalties seems too far aloof from the ordinary human life, and which on the moral side finally fades out into a German mistiness.
His whole life he had kept aloof from his kind, and he still desired to keep aloof.
She held aloof from me, and when Snider took his turn at the wheel, sat beside him, upon the pretext that she wished to learn how to steer the launch.
I had enjoyed her company at first, but since the trip across the Channel I had held aloof from her.
I simply wish to refuse allegiance to the State, to withdraw and stand aloof from it effectually.
I please myself with imagining a State at least which can afford to be just to all men, and to treat the individual with respect as a neighbor; which even would not think it inconsistent with its own repose if a few were to live aloof from it, not meddling with it, nor embraced by it, who fulfilled all the duties of neighbors and fellow-men.
They had begun the morning with an indifferent salutation, and both had rejoiced in being aloof from each other, like a patient who has actually done without his opium, in spite of former failures in resolution.
The corps etiquette extended even to us, who were strangers, and required us to group with the white corps only, and speak only with the white corps, while we were their guests, and keep aloof from the caps of the other colors.
The landlord forced Marner to take off his coat, and then to sit down on a chair aloof from every one else, in the centre of the circle and in the direct rays of the fire.
Although, co-chairmen of the newly unified party have claimed that their party will become the alternative force, by keeping aloof from the mother party, it cannot be possible, say political observers.
I have tried to remain aloof from the trauma of moving, but now it is so close the stress is gathering.