Wide berth

Meaning

The idiom "wide berth" means to give or allow someone a lot of space, freedom, or room for maneuver. It can also mean treating someone with respect or deference.

• I gave my colleague a wide berth during the meeting because he was new and nervous.
• The company's policy is to give employees a wide berth when it comes to personal style.
• She always gives her employees a wide berth and encourages them to be creative.

Usage

The usage of "wide berth" can vary depending on the context. Here are five different sentences using the idiom:

• The CEO gave the new manager a wide berth to make her own decisions.
• He always gives his clients a wide berth when it comes to their preferences.
• The protesters were given a wide berth by the police during their march.
• She always treats her customers with a wide berth and makes sure they feel welcome.
• The athlete was given a wide berth by the opposing team because of his impressive performance.

Roots and History

The idiom "wide berth" dates back to the 16th century and is believed to have originated from the nautical term "berth." In olden times, ships would anchor in a berth with other ships, and each ship had its own designated space. If someone crossed over into another ship's berth, it was considered an intrusion and could lead to serious consequences. Over time, the idiom evolved to mean giving someone space or room for maneuver, as seen in contemporary usage.

Synonyms in English

• A long shot
• Free rein
• Wide latitude
• A lot of slack
• A margin of error

Synonyms in other languages

• In French, the equivalent idiom is "une large marge." This means to give someone a wide margin or space.
• In Spanish, the equivalent idiom is "jarreton largo," which translates to "long berth" and has a similar meaning.
• In Italian, the equivalent idiom is "lunghezza di marcia," which means to give someone a long leash or allow them a lot of freedom.

Similar Idioms

• miss the boat

• after all

• so and so