wide berth
Generous avoidance distance
A wide berth is a generous amount of distance or space, especially to avoid something unpleasant or dangerous.
From nautical use, where ships give each other room to maneuver safely.
I give that intersection a wide berth after the accident.
She's in a foul mood—I'd give her a wide berth today.
Actively avoid something
- keep awayRemain at distance
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- circumventAvoid by going around
- bypassRoute that skirts obstacles
evasion · dodge · shun · elude · eschew · detour · skirt · stand back
Cautious distrust
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- safety marginBuilt-in tolerance for error
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- precautionPreventive safety measure
vigilance · guardedness · circumspection · hesitance · mistrust · suspicion · reservations · apprehension
Permitted passage or approval
- anchorageSecure harbor spot
- mooringVessel's secured resting place
- harborSafe anchorage for ships
- dockingConnecting to a port
sailing · navigation · seamanship · piloting · channel · fairway · shipping lane · port
steer clear
Actively avoid something
- keep awayRemain at distance
- sidestepEvade by moving aside
- circumventAvoid by going around
bypass · evasion · dodge · shun · elude · eschew · detour · skirt · stand back · back off
wariness
Cautious distrust
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- safety marginBuilt-in tolerance for error
- bufferProtective intermediate space
precaution · vigilance · guardedness · circumspection · hesitance · mistrust · suspicion · reservations · apprehension · leeway
clearance
Permitted passage or approval
docking · sailing · navigation · seamanship · piloting · channel · fairway · shipping lane · port · starboard
wide berthclose proximity
Being very near
close quarters · tight squeeze · crowding · tailgating · grazing
wide berthwarm embrace
Affectionate encircling hold
seeking out · close attention · pursuit · shadowing · hounding
wide berthclose proximity
Being very near
close quarters · nearness · closeness · arm's length · up close
wide, width, widen, widespread, widely, widened, berth, wider, widening