1. To separate oneself physically or emotionally from someone or something; to create or maintain distance
She decided to distance herself from the toxic friendship.
Ela decidiu distanciar-se da amizade tóxica.
2. To dissociate oneself from a person, group, or idea, especially to avoid association with something controversial or undesirable
The politician tried to distance himself from the scandal.
O político tentou distanciar-se do escândalo.