avoid
verb [ T ] uk/əˈvɔɪd/ us/əˈvɔɪd/
B1 避开;逃避
to stay away from someone or something
I try to avoid supermarkets on Saturdays - they're always so busy. 我尽量避开周六去超市——那时总是人特别多。
I'm anxious to avoid the motorway at rush hour. 在交通高峰时段，我对高速公路唯恐避之不及。
Do you think Lukas is avoiding me? I haven't seen him all day. 你认为卢卡斯是不是在躲着我啊？我一整天都没见到他。
B2 避免;防止
to prevent something from happening or to not allow yourself to do something
[ + -ing verb ] I try to avoid going shopping on Saturdays. 我尽量不在周六去购物。
The report studiously avoided any mention of the controversial plan. 这份报告有意避而不谈那个有争议的计划。
The plane narrowly avoided disaster when one of the engines cut out on take-off. 飞机起飞时一个发动机熄火，差点酿成重大事故。
I left the pub to avoid a fight (= prevent a fight from happening). 我不想动手打架，就离开了酒吧。
Unnecessary paperwork should be avoided (= prevented) at all costs. 应该尽可能避免不必要的文书工作。
- More examples
- If we set off early tomorrow morning we'll avoid most of the traffic.
- The bus driver swerved to avoid hitting the cyclists.
- We need to examine how an accident like this can be avoided in the future.
- Try to avoid foods which contain a lot of fat.
- He took a different route which avoids the city centre.
Idiom
avoid something like the plagueidiom 像避瘟疫一样躲避，坚决避开
to be determined to avoid something completely
I'm not a fan of parties - in fact I avoid them like the plague. 我对聚会不感兴趣——实际上，我害怕聚会如同害怕瘟神。