wide berth
noun1
Nautical, Transport Adequate distance from sea vessels or other objects to ensure safety and maneuverability.
- Steer to port and give the rocks a wide berth.
2
Broadly, Idiomatic A considerable or comfortable distance from a person or object, especially for safety or deliberate avoidance.
- Our cat always gives the vacuum cleaner a wide berth.
- He's so obnoxious that everyone gives him a wide berth.
2 more examples
- One [sheep] was "bagged" but gave the rest of the train a wide berth and appeared only somewhat shaken.1949 November and December, K. Longbottom, “By Goods Train to Gweedore”, in Railway Magazine, page 356:
- Only Samantha escaped with her dignity intact, because she gave the series a wide berth.2025 August 13, Jennifer Weiner, “In ‘And Just Like That …’ a Craven Era Took Its Revenge on Youth and Hope and Fun”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC: