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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.
give someone or something a wide berth
Fig. 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.
give somebody/something a wide berth
to keep far away from someone or something
He believes that his neighbors give him a wide berth because he is black. Usage notes: sometimes used in the form give a wide berth to something: Consumers continued to give wide berth to shopping malls last month
give somebody/something a wide berth
to avoid someone or something I try to give the city centre a wide berth on a Saturday. If she's in a bad mood I tend to give her a wide berth.
See into the wide blue yonder, blow wide opengive a wide berth
Avoid, 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]
soft berth
n. an easy situation; employment at an easy job. I hope I can arrange a soft berth for my brother, who just applied for a job here.
a wide berth
Ample space or distance to avoid an unwanted consequence: gave their angry colleague a wide berth.