Phrases.com »

Phrases related to: avoid

Yee yee! We've found 110 phrases and idioms matching avoid.

Sort:RelevancyA - Z
avoid like the plagueTo shun, or evade if at all possible.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
a sideways approachThis agenda is to avoid a head to head confrontation, rather slide in with a 'sideways' move which may provide a smoother, elusive manner in approaching the challenge.Rate it:

(5.00 / 3 votes)
Beat Around the BushTo avoid getting to some point or answering any question that is relevant, the approach of some people, which is quite far from the real objective or center of focus.Rate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
beat around the bushTo delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
Better Safe than SorryIt is better to be careful and avoid any sort of harmful risks, injuries or complicated situations that you might regret laterRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
bite one's lipTo forcibly prevent oneself from speaking, especially in order to avoid saying something inappropriate or likely to cause a dispute.Rate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
button one's lipTo remain silent, especially in order to keep a secret or to avoid saying something inappropriate.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
can't make ends meetTto earn just enough money to avoid getting into debt.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
do-or-dieRequiring a determined or desperate effort to avoid the consequences of failure.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
Don't Count Your Chickens before They HatchTo warn someone to wait until the expected good thing has really happened till then avoid making further plansRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
escape the bear and fall to the lionTo avoid a problem or inconvenience only to exchange it for an even worse misfortune afterwardsRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
if you don't want to slip up, stay out of slippery placesTo avoid temptation, triggers, Toxicity Or anything that doesn't do you any justice mentally or otherwise. To Stay away from if not to be tempted to repeat mistakes.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
keep at arm's lengthAvoid a close relationship.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
keep confusion at bayTo keep confusion at bay means to avoid or prevent confusion.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
willful ignoranceA bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
chicken outTo shy away from a daring task; to decline, refuse, or avoid something due to fear or uncertainty.Rate it:

(4.50 / 4 votes)
fools rush in where angels fear to treadA person who does not plan ahead and think matters through becomes involved in risky or unfavorable situations which prudent people avoid.Rate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
Keep Your Head above WaterTo have just enough to avoid any financial collapse, hardly keeping up with one’s responsibilityRate it:

(4.50 / 2 votes)
drop backOf a quarterback or other player in the backfield, to take a number of steps back from the line of scrimmage immediately after the snap or hike of the ball, to avoid defenders.Rate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)
if it ain't broke, don't fix itLeave something alone; avoid correcting, fixing, or improving what is already sufficient, as it could end up being detrimentalRate it:

(4.00 / 2 votes)
keep one's cards close to one's chestTo avoid revealing one's thoughts, circumstances, or plans.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
Let Sleeping Dogs LieNot to invite trouble, to be calm and avoid stirring any possible troubleRate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
bat awayTo avoid by diverting the focus of a discussion.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
strike while the iron is hotTo act on an opportunity promptly; to avoid waiting.Rate it:

(3.50 / 2 votes)
beg offTo avoid, or cancel some event that one has previously arranged with someone.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
don't get someone startedUsed to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
keep away fromTo avoid.Rate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
Keep the Wolf from the DoorTo avoid circumstances leading to poverty and starvationRate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
put byTo run a ship aground intentionally to avoid a collision.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
steer clearTo avoid; to dodge; to sidestep.Rate it:

(3.00 / 3 votes)
whisper campaignA method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
Get Off the HookTo liberate yourself from a repulsive or unpleasant obligation, to avoid a punishmentRate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
keep one's head above waterTo survive or endure, especially in a situation in which one is struggling to avoid being overwhelmed by adverse financial circumstances.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
rat run/runningTo drive through residential streets to avoid congestion on the main roads.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
you don't dip your pen in company inkOne should avoid romantic relationships in the workplace.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Albatross Around Your NeckA person or a thing you feel like a burden and you always want to avoid and get rid of, something bad you did and want to avoid discussing or someone else recall it againRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
beat the rapAvoid fines or punishment, receive forgiveness from family, friends, the law and the Boss for misdemeanors, infractions and Stupid Stunts.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
because reasonsUsed to avoid specifying the reasons for something, perhaps because specifying them would be tangential to the point at hand, or perhaps because they are not sound or are not known to the speaker.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
Bug OffTo avoid bothering someone, to leave someone alone, go awayRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
can't helpIs unable to avoid a situation, or stop something from happening.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
claw offto beat to windward to avoid being driven on to a lee shoreRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
Close ShaveTo escape a dangerous situation very closely or to avoid some errors with a slight marginRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
cop outTo avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
cop-outAn excuse made in order to avoid performing a task or duty; a reason offered when someone cops out.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
crash diveAn emergency maneuver by a submarine in which it suddenly descends, especially to considerable depth, usually in order to escape an attack or to avoid a collision.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
Cut to the ChaseTo avoid procrastination or distractions and get to the point.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
dodge a bulletTo have a narrow escape; to avoid injury or disaster.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
drag one's feetTo procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
feed a cold, starve a feverEating more will cure the common cold, and eating less will cure a fever.1887, J. H. Whelan, "The Treatment of Colds.", The Practitioner, vol. 38, pg. 180:"Feed a cold, starve a fever." There is a deal of wisdom in the first part of this advice. A person with a catarrh should take an abundance of light nutritious food, and some light wine, but avoid spirits, and above all tobacco.1968, Katinka Loeser, The Archers at Home, publ. Atheneum, New York, pg. 60:I have a cold. 'Feed a cold, starve a fever.' You certainly know that.2009, Shelly Reuben, Tabula Rasa, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN 015101079X, pg. 60:They say feed a cold, starve a fever, but they don't tell you what to do when you got both, so I figured scrambled eggs, tea, and toast.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
fend offTo take defensive action, push against, veer away, avoid, steer away, retreat, tack, give strong vocal or signal warning.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)

We need you!

Help us build the largest human-edited phrases collection on the web!

Alternative searches for avoid:

Quiz

Are you a phrases master?

»
Into the ____ den.
A badger's
B toddler's
C giraffe's
D lion's

Browse Phrases.com