wide berth

English

Pronunciation

Audio (AU) (file)

Noun

wide berth (plural wide berths)

(nautical) Adequate distance from sea vessels or other objects to ensure safety and maneuverability.
Steer to port and give the rocks a wide berth.
(idiomatic, by extension) 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.

Usage notes

Often used with some form of the verb "to give".

Translations

nautical: adequate distance from other objects

Finnish: riittävä etäisyys (used with verb pitää)

considerable or comfortable distance from a person or object

Finnish: kaukana (fi) (to give a wide berth - pysyä kaukana)
German: gehöriger Abstand m, sichere Entfernung f, sichere Distanz f

References

"give sth/sb a wide berth" at dictionary.cambridge.org
"wide berth" at www.seatalk.info.
wide berth at OneLook Dictionary Search

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