give (someone or something) a wide berth
idiom
: to avoid or stay away from (someone or something)
I could see that she was in a bad mood, so I gave her a wide berth.
Examples of give (someone or something) a wide berth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Just be prepared to give a wide berth to sorority row during rush week, when thousands descend upon the houses for a week of small talk and countless (often over-the-top) outfits.
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Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
Andolfi says that if possible, give a wide berth to those family members who create or trigger conflict.
—Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2021
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Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
Andolfi says that if possible, give a wide berth to those family members who create or trigger conflict.
—Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Give (someone or something) a wide berth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20%28someone%20or%20something%29%20a%20wide%20berth. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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