Read along with the three podcasts, or open the full dictionary entry for Steer clear for the definition, Arabic meaning, synonyms and example sentences.
Narrator: Today's word is Steer-clear — phrase (verb), pronounced /stɪər klɪər/, with the stress on 'steer'.
Narrator: The core meaning of to steer clear is to stay away from someone or something that could cause trouble or harm.
Narrator: In plain English, it means to actively avoid a person, a place, or a risky situation.
Narrator: It originates from nautical terminology, where a ship would steer clear of rocks or dangerous shallows to remain safe.
Narrator: A common collocation is steer clear of trouble, which describes the intentional act of maintaining a safe distance from conflict.
Narrator: It differs from the word avoid by implying a deliberate, ongoing effort to keep a specific space between yourself and a potential threat.
Narrator: A second figurative sense is used when someone decides to steer clear of controversial topics during a formal meeting.
Narrator: Both the legal and health sectors rely on this term to advise people on staying safe or maintaining necessary boundaries.
Narrator: So remember: steer clear is your go-to phrase for describing the wise decision to keep your distance from something best left alone.
Speaker A: Is there a nautical history behind the phrase we often use to warn people away from danger?
Speaker B: Yes, it comes directly from 17th-century sailors who had to STEER CLEAR of hazardous coastal features to preserve the ship.
Speaker A: Could you provide some example sentences to show how it functions in daily life?
Speaker B: Certainly: I always steer clear of the city centre on match days to avoid the crowds, steer clear of that grumpy manager if you want a quiet day, and please steer clear of the wet paint.
Speaker A: Are there common mistakes to look out for when using this expression?
Speaker B: The main error is forgetting the word of, as you must steer clear of the danger rather than just steer clear the danger.
Speaker A: And are there any close relatives I should keep in my vocabulary?
Speaker B: You could use avoid as a direct twin, shun as a more formal cousin, or bypass as a mechanical alternative.
Speaker A: That is very helpful, thank you for the explanation.
Speaker B: My pleasure, as this idiomatic verb really keeps its linguistic charm!
Speaker B: Let's use steer-clear in AI prompts — useful for setting safety constraints and refining creative content output.
Speaker A: How can I apply this to help a coding assistant generate cleaner code?
Speaker B: You can direct the AI to stay away from legacy functions by using this prompt.
Prompt: Write a Python script for this data task but steer clear of any deprecated library features.
Speaker A: That makes sense for technical work, but what about professional writing?
Speaker B: You can use it to keep your business emails sounding professional and neutral.
Prompt: Draft an email to a client regarding the project delay but steer clear of using overly defensive language.
Speaker A: What about when I am asking for advice on difficult subjects?
Speaker B: It is perfect for managing the tone of a creative or analytical response.
Prompt: Summarise the current debate on remote working trends while choosing to steer clear of politically biased perspectives.
Speaker A: One more?
Speaker B: Here is a final prompt for ensuring your marketing copy stays on brand.
Prompt: Generate a list of marketing slogans for our new organic soap but steer clear of making any unverified health claims.
Steer clear — meaning in Arabic & definition More S courses GL Dictionary