Word Study
keep one's distance
ROGET THESAURUS
keep one's distance
Avoidance
VB abstain, refrain, spare, not attempt, not do, maintain the even tenor of one's way, eschew, keep from, let alone, have nothing to do with, keep aloof keep off, stand aloof, stand off, hold aloof, hold off, take no part in, have no hand in, avoid, shun, steer clear of, keep clear of, fight shy of, keep one's distance, keep at a respectful distance, keep out of the way, get out of the way, evade, elude, turn away from, set one's face against, deny oneself, shrink back, hang back, hold back, draw back, recoil, retire, flinch, blink, blench, shy, shirk, dodge, parry, make way for, give place to, beat a retreat, turn tail, turn one's back, take to one's heels, runaway, run for one's life, cut and run, be off like a shot, fly, flee, fly away, flee away, run away from, take flight, take to flight, desert, elope, make off, scamper off, sneak off, shuffle off, sheer off, break away, tear oneself away, slip away, slink away, steel away, make away from, scamper away from, sneak away from, shuffle away from, sheer away from, slip cable, part company, turn one's heel, sneak out of, play truant, give one the go by, give leg bail, take French leave, slope, decamp, flit, bolt, abscond, levant, skedaddle, absquatulat, cut one's stick, walk one's chalks, show a light pair of heels, make oneself scarce, escape, go away, abandon, reject, lead one a dance, lead one a pretty dance, throw off the scent, play at hide and seek, Adj, unsought, unattempted, avoiding, neutral, shy of, elusive, evasive, fugitive, runaway, shy, wild.Distance
VB be distant, extend to, stretch to, reach to, spread to, go to, get to, stretch away to, range, remain at a distance, keep away, keep off, keep aloof, keep clear of, stand away, stand off, stand aloof, stand clear of, stay away, keep one's distance, distance, distance oneself from.Modesty
VB be modest, retire, reserve oneself, give way to, draw in one's horns, hide one's face, keep private, keep in the background, keep one's distance, pursue the noiseless tenor of one's way, do good by stealth and blush to find it fame, hide one's light under a bushel, cast a sheep's eye.Respect
VB respect, regard, revere, reverence, hold in reverence, honor, venerate, hallow, esteem, think much of, entertain respect for, bear respect for, look up to, defer to, have a high opinion of, hold a high opinion of, pay attention, pay respect, to, do honor to, render honor to, do the honors, hail, show courtesy, salute, present arms, do homage to, pay homage to, pay tribute to, kneel to, bow to, bend the knee to, fall down before, prostrate oneself, kiss the hem of one's garment, worship, keep one's distance, make room, observe due decorum, stand upon ceremony, command respect, inspire respect, awe, inspire awe, impose, overawe, dazzle.For further exploring for "keep one's distance" in Webster Dictionary Online