avoid like the plague
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To evade or shun, if at all possible.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Cliché should be avoided like the plague.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “avoid like the plague” mean?
To evade or shun, if at all possible.
Is “avoid like the plague” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.