keep away
Don't come closer
To keep away is to maintain distance from something, either literally or figuratively.
You might keep away from a dangerous neighborhood or keep sweets away from children.
Keep away from the edge!
The phrase often carries a warning: The sign said to keep away from the electrical equipment.
Keep-away is also a children's game where players toss an object to prevent another from catching it.
Actively avoid something
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
- evadeEscape by cunning
- shunDeliberately keep away
- eludeSkillfully avoid capture
sidestep · distance · repel · fend off · ward off · deter · discourage · rebuff
Obstruction preventing passage
- gateHinged barrier in fence
- fenceBoundary structure between properties
- lockMechanism requiring a key
- guardWatchful defensive attention
blockade · boundary · perimeter · cordon · quarantine · exclusion zone · off-limits · no-go area
steer clear
Actively avoid something
elude · sidestep · distance · repel · fend off · ward off · deter · discourage · rebuff · spurn
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
guard · blockade · boundary · perimeter · cordon · quarantine · exclusion zone · off-limits · no-go area · restraining order
tag
Identifier or classifier
- chaseRapid following of quarry
- playgroundChildren's outdoor recreation space
- childrenYoung human beings
ball · circle · monkey in the middle · toss · teamwork · evasion · intercept · catch · throw · piggy in the middle
- recess gamestag, hopscotch, jump rope, hide and seek, duck duck goose
- Stay Awayback off, leave alone, off limits, no touching, forbidden
- Back Offback off, hands off, butt out, step back, stay out
- playground gamestag, hide and seek, hopscotch, freeze, capture the flag
- keeping outbar, ban, block, lock, fence
- street gameshopscotch, kick the can, stickball, stoopball, four square
keep awayapproach
Way of handling something
come close · draw near · get close · close in · advance
keep awaybring together
Cause to meet
hand over · relinquish · release · deliver · share