Phrase guide

keep one's distance

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To refrain from familiarity with somebody or something; to stay aloof.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

stay clear of, avoid

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Keep your hands off my wife!
  • Keep your distance from this man--he is dangerous

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stand back, keep one's eyes off, keep one's hands off, stay away

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: be

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: garder ses distances — Translations
  • German: auf Distanz bleiben — Translations
  • Greek: κρατάω τις αποστάσεις (kratáo tis apostáseis) — Translations
  • Italian: mantenere le distanze — Translations
  • Spanish: mantener distancia — Translations
  • Swedish: hålla sig på avstånd — Translations