When sailors were warned to keep a wide bearing off something they were being told to make sure to maintain enough sea room from it. Like many seafaring terms it dates back to the heyday of sail, the …

Oct 7, 2023 · The expression "give a wide berth" refers to staying away from something or someone to avoid trouble or danger. The phrase can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

give (someone or something) a wide berth phrase : to avoid or stay away from (someone or something)

When a ship is given a wide berth, it means that it’s been provided with plenty of room to maneuver about and avoid collisions. In a literal sense, the phrase was popular in the 1500s when everyone …

wide berth A good distance (between things, people, etc.). Originally referred to ships. Once I learned that there was a lice outbreak, I kept a wide berth from all of my students for the rest of the day. …

Meaning of give something/someone a wide berth in English give something/someone a wide berth idiom informal Add to word list to avoid a person or place:

Jan 17, 2022 · To give another vessel a wide berth means that you are putting as much distance between the two vessels as possible. Typically, this language refers to the distance in the dock or …

Aug 15, 2025 · Noun wide berth (plural wide berths) (nautical) Adequate distance from sea vessels or other objects to ensure safety and maneuverability.

Mar 11, 2022 · wide berth idiom meaning, origin, examples in a sentence, dark meanings, definition, synonyms, etymology, and the history of the phrase.

Oct 17, 2025 · “Give a wide berth” is an idiomatic expression that urges someone to keep a considerable distance from a person, object, or situation—either physically or metaphorically.