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maintain distance
[meɪnˈteɪn ˈdɪstəns]
verb phrase
manter distância
1.
to keep a physical space between oneself and another person or object
During the pandemic, people were advised to maintain distance from others.
Durante a pandemia, as pessoas foram aconselhadas a manter distância dos outros.
2.
to avoid emotional or social closeness; to remain aloof
He decided to maintain distance from his former colleagues.
Ele decidiu manter distância de seus antigos colegas.
3.
to preserve a professional or formal relationship
Teachers must maintain distance from their students to ensure professionalism.
Os professores devem manter distância de seus alunos para garantir profissionalismo.
NYC Slang
keep it moving / stay off someone's case
Synonyms
keep one's distance
stand apart
stay away
keep apart
remain aloof
Antonyms
get close
approach
draw near
come together
embrace
Regional Variations
General Brazilian
manter distância
most common usage, used in both formal and informal contexts
São Paulo
manter distância
standard usage, widely understood
Rio de Janeiro
manter distância
standard usage, may use 'ficar longe' colloquially
Portugal
manter distância
standard usage, equivalent to Brazilian Portuguese
Related Idioms & Phrases
keep one's distance
at arm's length
give someone space
keep someone at bay
maintain a professional distance
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