steer1

[steer] /stɪər/
verb (used with object)
1.
to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc.:
to steer a bicycle.
2.
to follow or pursue (a particular course).
3.
to direct the course of; guide:
I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.
verb (used without object)
4.
to direct the course of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, or the like, by the use of a rudder or other means.
5.
to pursue a course of action.
6.
(of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, etc.) to be steered or guided in a particular direction or manner.
noun
7.
Informal. a suggestion about a course of action; tip:
He got a good steer about finding the right job.
Idioms
8.
steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid:
She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.
Origin
before 900; Middle English steren, Old English stēoran, akin to stēor steering, guidance; cognate with German steuern, Old Norse stȳra, Gothic stiurjan
Related forms
steerable, adjective
steerability, noun
unsteerable, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for steer clear of

steer1

/stɪə/
verb
1.
to direct the course of (a vehicle or vessel) with a steering wheel, rudder, etc
2.
(transitive) to guide with tuition: his teachers steered him through his exams
3.
(transitive) to direct the movements or course of (a person, conversation, etc)
4.
to pursue (a specified course)
5.
(intransitive) (of a vessel, vehicle, etc) to admit of being guided in a specified fashion: this boat does not steer properly
6.
steer clear of, to keep away from; shun
noun
7.
(mainly US) information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer)
Derived Forms
steerable, adjective
steerer, noun
Word Origin
Old English stieran; related to Old Frisian stiūra, Old Norse stӯra, German stevern; see starboard, stern²

steer2

/stɪə/
noun
1.
a castrated male ox or bull; bullock
Word Origin
Old English stēor; related to Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur, Old High German stior, Middle Dutch stēr
Word Origin and History for steer clear of

steer

v.

"guide the course of a vehicle," Old English steran (Mercian), stieran (West Saxon), from Proto-Germanic *steurijanan (cf. Old Norse styra, Old Frisian stiora, Dutch sturen, Old High German stiuren, German steuern "to steer," Gothic stiurjan "to establish, assert"), related to *steuro "a rudder, a steering" (cf. Old English steor "helm, rudder," German Steuer and first element in starboard), from PIE *steu-ro- (cf. Greek stauros "stake, pole"), from root *sta- "to stand" (see stet).

The notion is of a stiff, upright pillar or post used in steering. To steer clear of in the figurative sense of "to avoid completely" is recorded from 1723. Related: Steered; steering. Steering committee in the U.S. political sense is recorded from 1887.

n.

"young ox," Old English steor "bullock," from Proto-Germanic *steuraz (cf. Old Saxon stior, Old Norse stjorr, Swedish tjur, Danish tyr, Middle Dutch, Dutch, German stier, Gothic stiur "bull"), perhaps from PIE *steu-ro-, a root denoting "strength, sturdiness" (see taurus).

Slang definitions & phrases for steer clear of

steer

noun
  1. (also steerer) A person who steers patrons and victims: He is nothing but a steer for a bust-out joint (entry form 1939+, variant 1873+)
  2. Advice or information; a bit of useful data (1899+)
verb

To take or inveigle someone to a place or person where gamblers or confidence men might victimize him: I been steerin' for Schwiefka all day (1889+ Underworld)

Related Terms

bum steer


Idioms and Phrases with steer clear of

steer clear of

Stay away from, avoid, as in Dad warned us to steer clear of Dr. Smith and his poor advice. This idiom alludes to guiding a vessel away from some obstacle. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1723.

steer

In addition to the idiom beginning with steer also see: bum steer