avoid (redirected from avoidable)

avoid someone or something like the plague

Fig. to ignore or keep away from someone or something totally. What's wrong with Bob? Everyone avoids him like the plague. I don't like opera. I avoid it like the plague.

See also: like, plague

let someone or something alone and leave someone or something alone; leave someone or something be

to avoid touching, bothering, or communicating with someone or something. Leave me alone. I don't want your help. Let it alone! Don't touch it! It may be hot!

See also: alone, let

let alone someone or something

not to mention or think of someone or something; not even to take someone or something into account. (Fixed order.) Do I have a dollar? I don't even have a dime, let alone a dollar. I didn't invite John, let alone the rest of his family.

See also: alone, let

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avoid somebody/something like the plague

to try very hard to avoid someone or something that you do not like

Usage notes: A plague is a serious disease which kills many people.

I'm not a fan of parties - in fact I avoid them like the plague.

See also: like, plague

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avoid somebody/something like the plague

to keep far away from someone or something When he was in high school, he avoided girls like the plague.

Usage notes: usually said about someone or something you fear or do not like

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of the plague (a disease that spreads quickly and kills great numbers of people)

See also: like, plague

let somebody alone

to not annoy or interrupt someone leave somebody alone I tried to keep my promise not to call her, to let her alone to think, but finally I needed to talk to her.

See also: alone, let

let alone do something

and to an even greater degree do something We were trapped in a situation you can barely imagine, let alone understand.

Usage notes: used to emphasize the extreme character of something

Related vocabulary: not to mention somebody/something

See also: alone, let