Meaning & use
keeping distance
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiom
staying physically apart from other people to avoid contact or infection
Grammar: Often used with 'from': keeping distance from others. Also 'keeping a distance'.
Patterns
- keeping distance from someone
- keeping a safe distance
During the pandemic, keeping distance from strangers became normal.
She is keeping distance from her colleagues because she has a cold.
phraseidiom
avoiding becoming too friendly or involved with someone
Grammar: Often used with 'from': keeping distance from someone. Also 'keeping your distance'.
Patterns
- keeping distance from someone
- keeping your distance
He's been keeping distance from his family since the argument.
After the breakup, they agreed on keeping distance for a while.
Common combinations
- keeping a safe distance
- The sign reminds visitors about keeping a safe distance.
- keeping distance from others
- Keeping distance from others can feel lonely.
- keeping your distance
- She is keeping her distance from office gossip.
- keeping a distance
- He prefers keeping a distance from his coworkers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- social distancing
- A specific public-health term for keeping space during a pandemic; 'keeping distance' is more general.
- staying away
- Stronger and more about not going near someone at all.
- maintaining distance
- More formal and often used in official advice or instructions.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: keeping distance or keep distance?
keeping distance vs keep distance
This is not the usual phrase; use 'keep your distance' or 'keep a distance' for the idiom.
Practice
Complete the sentence: He has been keeping his distance ___ his ex-girlfriend.
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition is 'from': keep your distance from someone. The other prepositions do not fit this fixed expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “keeping distance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.