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steer

steer

3 7.5
A short helpful piece of advice about what to do
  • noun
  • /stɪr/
translation icon : orientación
  • After discussing the project, my colleague offered a great steer about potential next steps.

And you know, like I said, look, thank God, you know, he he he was very wise and he, he did give me a good steer.

Examples

  • Well, then you should probably steer clear of imagery altogether to have that more like personal e-mail touch.

  • And so I've discovered red flags that when you see these, if you steer clear, it will support you in creating the great relationship that you want.

  • I never gave you a bum steer; you could come down in the wrong country too.

  • I might see if I can make it work, but my first instinct is to steer clear of the red eye shadow.

  • It's not affiliated from anything that I could tell with the actual Netflix and I would steer clear.

  • There have been a few good discussions over at Wrestling Classics, involving people in the industry who had a good steer on where things were headed that confirm this.

    Blog text (27)
  • I heard a story once of an old diviner—this was just after the First World War—who destroyed a bloke by giving him a bum steer.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The teacher gave us a helpful steer on which topics to focus for the exam.

  • Her advice was a valuable steer that helped me decide on my career path.

Synonyms

advice
vssteer
1.0

An opinion or suggestion about what someone should do

is aimed at suggesting a possible option or path rather than only opinion
lead
vssteer
474 4.8

Information that can help find something or create an opportunity

is broader, giving a general course or chance rather than investigative clue
tip
vssteer
279 3.8

A piece of information about a possible opportunity

is a general suggestion pointing to a possible course of action
hint
vssteer
229 1.5

A small indirect suggestion that helps you understand something

is more direct and suggests concrete opportunities or courses of action
direction
vssteer
124 1.0

Advice that tells someone what to do next

is less prescriptive and focuses on suggesting opportunities or options
guidance
vssteer
101 2.1

Directing the path of something so it stays on course

is a single suggestion pointing to an opportunity, not ongoing control
pointer
vssteer
52 2.8

A short helpful tip that gives advice

is more about offering an option or opportunity than practical help

Idioms

a bum steer
  • Archaic
1 9.4

Bad advice or directions that make you go the wrong way

Compounds

bum steer
  • Informal
1 9.8

Wrong advice that leads you to make a mistake

steer roping
  • Jargon
8.8

A rodeo event where a rider on horseback tries to rope a steer

How Helpful

guidance
248 2.1
steer
3 7.5
tip
445 1.0
pointer
52 2.8
hint
229 1.5

Surface Forms

steer singular
steers plural

Etymology

Steer meaning 'a piece of advice' comes from the verb steer ('to guide'), like a quick direction from a friend that points you toward a good choice. So when someone gives you a steer, they are helping to guide your decision.