Looking up...
maintain distance
/meɪnˈteɪn ˈdɪstəns/
keep a physical or social separation
Health officials advised people to maintain distance to prevent the spread of the virus.
This means staying apart from others to reduce infection risk.
general
To keep a certain amount of space between oneself and others or objects
The lifeguard told swimmers to maintain distance from the rocks.
This was for safety reasons to avoid collisions.
In social settings, some people prefer to maintain distance to feel more comfortable.
This reflects personal boundaries and comfort levels.
This phrase is commonly used in health, safety, and social contexts.
Collocations
maintain social distancekeep physical separation in social settingsmaintain a safe distancestay far enough to avoid danger
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The phrase can refer to physical space or emotional boundaries, so pay attention to context.
Gold Rule
Health Context
In health contexts, 'maintain distance' typically refers to physical separation to prevent illness transmission.
Word Origin
From 'maintain' (keep up) + 'distance' (space between). The phrase became widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Usage Notes
Often used in health guidelines, safety instructions, and social etiquette. Can be literal (physical space) or metaphorical (emotional/social separation).
Word Breakdown
maintain
to keep up or preserve
rootdistance
the amount of space between things
rootEnglish Dictionary