Uninvolvement: English Vocabulary List

to prevent trouble by trying not to become involved in something or draw attention to oneself

"Keep your head down."

"The new employee kept his head down and worked hard to avoid attracting any negative attention from the strict manager."

to try to stay away from trouble

"Keep your nose clean."

"After his release from prison, he promised to keep his nose clean and stay away from any illegal activities."

to decide to be no longer involved with something in any way

"Wash my hands of it."

"After the committee made the decision without consulting her she washed her hands of the whole project and refused to help."

to refuse to get involved with someone or something in any way

"I want no truck with him."

"My father has no truck with modern technology and refuses to use a smartphone or a computer at home."

to only concern oneself with one's own private matters and not to interfere in those of others

"Just mind your own business, please."

"I told him to mind his own business and stop interfering with my personal decisions."

to refrain from interfering in someone else's private affairs

"He told me to mind my own beeswax."

"I wish my nosy neighbour would mind her own beeswax instead of asking about my personal life."

used to tell someone that it is not necessary for them to know about something and that they should stop questioning about it

"That is none of your business."

"What I do in my free time is none of your business so please stop asking me about it."

to have nothing to do with someone or something

"I would not touch him."

"I would not touch that old car with a ten-foot pole because it has so many mechanical problems."

in a state where one notices something but refuses to get oneself involved in it

"From the sidelines."

"She preferred to observe the political debate from the sidelines rather than actively participating in the heated discussions."

to avoid doing something by making excuses or being dishonest

"He weaseled his way out."

"He tried to worm his way out of doing the dishes by claiming that he had a headache and needed to rest."

to not become involved with or go near someone or something

"Give him a wide berth."

"After their argument at the meeting, everyone in the office gave him a wide berth for the rest of the week."

to do one's best to avoid someone or something completely

"Avoid him like plague."

"Since their argument she has avoided him like the plague and refuses to be in the same room."

to finally manage to get rid of someone or something

"See the back of him."

"The teacher was happy to see the back of the troublesome student who had caused so many problems in her class."

to have no right to be in a certain place or do a certain thing

"You have no business."

"You have no business telling me how to live my life because you do not know anything about me."

to have no desire to get involved in something

"He fights shy of it."

"Despite the potential benefits, many investors fight shy of investing in volatile emerging markets."

(of a person or thing) no longer involved or present in a situation or activity

"He is out of picture."

"Once the scandal broke, the disgraced politician was completely out of the picture."