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三舎を避ける (さんしゃをさける) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, ichidan verb
keep one's distance ; give a wide berth
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression originating from a Chinese historical anecdote. Used when someone avoids another person out of fear, respect, or because the other is superior. Often implies a strategic or prudent retreat rather than mere dislike.
Since the scandal, that politician has been giving the media a wide berth.
Similar words 敬けい 遠えん する 敬遠する means to deliberately avoid someone out of respect or to keep at arm's length, often in a social context. 三舎を避ける is more literary and carries a nuance of strategic retreat based on the other's superiority or threat.
距きょ 離り を 置お く 距離を置く is a common, neutral expression for putting distance between oneself and someone else, without the historical or literary flavor of 三舎を避ける.
Etymology From a story in the Chinese historical text 'Zuo Zhuan', where Duke Wen of Jin retreated three stages (三舎) from the Chu army to fulfill a promise, effectively avoiding direct conflict. The expression came to mean keeping a respectful or cautious distance.
