keep/stay out of somebody's way

keep out of the/(one's) way

1. To actively avoid being a physical impediment to one. A noun or pronoun can be used after "keep." You need to keep out of my way when I'm trying to vacuum. I wish my little brother would keep his stuff out of my way when I'm setting up my model train. Your dad has to line up these tiles very carefully, so keep out of the way, all right?

2. To actively avoid being or ensure that someone or something is not a distraction, imposition, nuisance, or irritation for one. A noun or pronoun can be used after "keep." Whenever my parents are arguing like that, I try to keep out of the way as much as possible. Please keep your intern out of my way, Michael. Some of us have real work to get done around here.

See also: keep, of, out, way

stay out of the/(one's) way

1. To actively avoid being a physical impediment to one. You need to stay out of the way when I'm trying to vacuum. I wish my little brother would stay out of my way when I'm setting up my model train. Your dad has to line up these tiles very carefully, so stay out of his way, all right?

2. To actively avoid being a distraction, imposition, nuisance, or irritation for one. Whenever my parents are arguing like that, I try to stay out of the way as much as possible. Please tell your intern to stay out of my way, Michael. Some of us have real work to get done around here.

See also: of, out, stay, way

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

keep/stay out of somebody’s ˈway

avoid somebody: He’s got a lot of work to do at the moment, so if I were you I’d stay out of his way until he’s got it finished.

See also: keep, of, out, stay, way

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017