释义 |
give (someone or something) a wide berth give (someone or something) a wide berthTo maintain a good distance from someone or something. Originally referred to ships. Once I learned that there was a lice outbreak, I gave all of my students a wide berth for the rest of the day. We've been giving John a wide berth ever since he dumped our good friend.See also: berth, give, widegive someone or something a wide berthFig. to keep a reasonable distance from someone or something; to steer clear (of someone or something). (Originally referred to sailing ships.) The dog we are approaching is very mean. Better give it a wide berth. Give Mary a wide berth. She's in a very bad mood.See also: berth, give, widegive a wide berthAvoid, as in After Jane told on them, they gave her a wide berth. This expression alludes to giving a vessel enough room to swing at anchor so as to avoid a collision. [Mid-1800s] See also: berth, give, widegive someone/something a wide berth If you give someone or something a wide berth, you deliberately avoid them. I don't mess with people like that, not me. I give them a wide berth. Having lived all my life in Africa I have a very healthy respect for snakes and give them a wide berth. Note: A berth is the amount of space which a sailing ship needs to manoeuvre safely. See also: berth, give, someone, something, widegive someone or something a wide berth stay away from someone or something. Berth is a nautical term which originally referred to the distance that ships should keep away from each other or from the shore, rocks, etc., in order to avoid a collision. Therefore, the literal meaning of the expression is ‘steer a ship well clear of something while passing it’.See also: berth, give, someone, something, widegive somebody/something a wide ˈberth avoid meeting somebody; avoid going near or using something: He’s so boring I always try to give him a wide berth at parties. ♢ The roads are very dangerous there — I’d give them a wide berth and go by train.See also: berth, give, somebody, something, wide |