wide berth
A considerable or comfortable distance from a person or object, especially for safety or deliberate avoidance.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Give that angry dog a wide berth.”
“I always give my boss a wide berth when he is having a bad day.”
“The experienced sailor steered the ship to give the jagged, hidden rocks a wide berth during the storm.”
- 01
cut a wide swath
To behave in an expansive, flagrantly showy, or pushy manner, especially in public venues; to exert sweeping influence.
- 02
into the wide blue yonder
A faraway place which is unknown and mysterious.
- 03
open wide
To open one's mouth wide, to gape.
- 04
wide awake
Awake and very alert; vigilant, watchful.
- 05
wide of the mark
(Very) inaccurate.
- 06
wide open
Having no laws or law enforcement.
Last updated August 10, 2026