keeps away
Prevents from approaching
Keeps away means to maintain distance from something or prevent approach.
You might keep away from a dangerous neighborhood, or a fence keeps intruders away.
Parents tell children to keep away from the stove.
A charm supposedly keeps evil spirits away.
The phrase works in both directions—you keep away from threats, or you keep threats away from yourself.
- repelDrive off or disgust
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- staves offRepels or delays
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- ostracizeExclude from a group
shield · holds off · dodge · quarantine · wall · banish · boycott · disinvite · gate · shut out · distance · alienate · cold shoulder · evade · blacklist · detach · shun · disassociate