to keep one's distance (from)

Examples

• All

• Soldiers lounge at the bar, keeping a respectful distance from the capos seated at a table in the rear.

  Fiction book (2002)

• Hank, just keep your distance from him.

  Lake Placid (1999)

• Just try to keep your distance from us.

  Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

• You should keep your distance from them.

  Son of God (2014)

• Keep your distance from other people.

  Contagion (2011)

• Keep your distance from these things.

  Career Opportunities (1991)

• He usually tries to keep his distance from his students outside of the classroom

  Voodoo Academy (2000)

• Claudia comes in and looks at the picture but keeps her distance from Patricia.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Terrified, Dr. Lull and Ernie keep a safe distance from Quaid. McClane is merely aggravated.

  Fiction book (1990)

• During the pandemic, everyone was advised to keep their distance from others to prevent the spread of the virus.

Synonyms

A

to avoid

vsto keep one's distance (from)

∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

is about deliberate separation for any reason, not only prevention

S

to stay away

vsto keep one's distance (from)

590 1.6

Keep a distance from people or things you want to avoid

is the deliberate act of maintaining separation in many situations

S

to stay away from

vsto keep one's distance (from)

384 2.3

Avoid going near people or places for safety

covers the same idea but also includes social or emotional distance

I

to isolate

vsto keep one's distance (from)

256 4.2

To keep someone or something apart from others

is deliberate avoidance chosen by an individual rather than enforced isolation

K

to keep away

vsto keep one's distance (from)

187 1.6

Stop someone or something from coming near

is about choosing to keep apart rather than actively barring approach

S

to stand back

vsto keep one's distance (from)

159 1.6

Move away and keep a safe distance from something or someone for safety

is a steadier choice to maintain separation rather than a single move

K

to keep off

vsto keep one's distance (from)

127 2.4

To stay away from a place, person, or thing

is broader, often implying intentional separation for caution or feeling

P

to pull away

vsto keep one's distance (from)

86 3.5

To move away from people or a place to create space

is deliberate ongoing separation rather than an initial movement away

D

to distance

vsto keep one's distance (from)

77 5.7

To make yourself less involved with someone or something

is deliberate avoidance that includes physical separation as well

D

to distance oneself from

vsto keep one's distance (from)

75 7.0

Keep away from someone or something to show no connection

is similar but includes physical avoidance as well as emotional

S

to stay out of it

vsto keep one's distance (from)

56 3.8

To avoid getting involved in an argument or fight

is general deliberate avoidance in many interactions, not only disputes

P

to push away

vsto keep one's distance (from)

43 3.2

To stop other people from getting close to you emotionally

is cautious separation rather than an explicit act of rejection

S

to shy away from

vsto keep one's distance (from)

41 4.6

Avoid doing something because you feel afraid or unsure

is deliberate separation regardless of discomfort or fear

K

to keep at bay

vsto keep one's distance (from)

38 3.9

Stop something harmful from coming close and causing trouble

is passive separation rather than actively keeping threat away

W

to ward off

vsto keep one's distance (from)

34 4.4

To keep harmful or unpleasant things away from you

is about maintaining separation rather than acting to repel threats

F

to fend off

vsto keep one's distance (from)

34 3.9

Keep unwanted people or things away so they do not harm you

is simple deliberate separation rather than an active defense

K

to keep one's distance

vsto keep one's distance (from)

32 3.9

To stay away from people or things to avoid close contact

is the exact same deliberate avoidance and separation meaning

K

to keep to oneself

vsto keep one's distance (from)

27 5.4

To not tell others your thoughts or feelings

is active physical or social avoidance rather than privacy of thought

S

to shun

vsto keep one's distance (from)

26 4.6

To avoid someone or something and refuse to meet and speak to them on purpose

focuses on measured avoidance rather than outright social rejection

T

to turn away from

vsto keep one's distance (from)

15 3.7

To refuse to have anything to do with someone or something

is more about keeping separation than explicit refusal to consider

K

to keep at arm's length

vsto keep one's distance (from)

10 6.3

To avoid getting too close to someone or something, often emotionally

is broader, applying to physical or social separation generally

S

to seclude

vsto keep one's distance (from)

2 6.7

To keep somebody away from other people

is about chosen separation in daily situations rather than formal seclusion

S

to sidle away

vsto keep one's distance (from)

1 7.7

To move quietly to the side and away so people do not notice you

is deliberate separation that can be open or unobtrusive

P

to put daylight between

vsto keep one's distance (from)

8.8

To create distance from someone or something to avoid being too close

is similar but emphasizes deliberate personal avoidance rather than distance creation

Antonyms

E

to engage

117 3.5

To keep someone's full attention

D

to draw close

8 2.9

Move nearer to someone or something

How Distant

to shun

26 4.6

to steer clear of

• Informal

34 4.0

to keep one's distance (from)

12 4.2

to stay away from

384 2.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology