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.

Related

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

Opposites
approach/avoidance behavior

avoided like the plaguesought after

Much wanted by many

chased after · clung to · drawn to · hounded · courted

desirability/appeal

avoided like the plagueall the rage

Extremely popular currently

must-have · prized · treasured · craved · irresistible

desirability/attraction

avoided like the plaguesought after

Much wanted by many

coveted · craved · desired · pursued · longed for

Family

avoid, avoided, avoiding, avoids, avoidance, avoidable, unavoidable, unavoidably, avoidably

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G