avoided like the plague
Deliberately stayed away
To avoid something like the plague is to stay away from it completely and deliberately, as one would flee from a deadly epidemic.
The phrase emphasizes extreme aversion or careful evasion: He avoided his ex like the plague.
Often used hyperbolically for minor annoyances as well as genuine threats.
- dodgedAvoided by quick movement
- eschewedDeliberately kept away from
- shunnedPersistently avoided socially
- passed overBypassed for selection
- aversionIntense dislike or repugnance
sidestepped · phobia · contagion · Black Death · epidemic · untouchable · social distancing · quarantine · pestilence · public health measures · stay away · steer clear · keep at arm's length · run a mile · survival instinct · fight-or-flight response · leprosy · mass hysteria
avoided like the plaguesought after
Much wanted by many
chased after · clung to · drawn to · hounded · courted
avoided like the plagueall the rage
Extremely popular currently
must-have · prized · treasured · craved · irresistible
avoided like the plaguesought after
Much wanted by many
coveted · craved · desired · pursued · longed for
avoid, avoided, avoiding, avoids, avoidance, avoidable, unavoidable, unavoidably, avoidably