1 steer
Pronounced:
/ˈstiɚ/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
steers; steered; steer·ingMeaning:
1 a : to control the direction in which something (such as a ship, car, or airplane) moves [+ obj] ▪ She steered the ship through the strait. ▪ He steered his car carefully into the parking space. ▪ He steered the wheelchair through the aisles. [no obj] ▪ Skillful navigators can steer by the positions of the stars. b [no obj] —used to describe how easy or difficult it is to steer a vehicle ▪ The car steers well.
2 [no obj] : to be moved or guided in a particular direction or along a particular course ▪ The car was steering right at us. ▪ The boat steered out to sea.
3 [+ obj] a : to direct or guide the movement or progress of (something) ▪ He tried to steer the conversation away from his recent problems. ▪ She skillfully steered the bill through the legislature. ▪ He steered the team to another championship last year. b : to cause (someone) to act in a particular way ▪ The high recent returns on stocks have steered many investors away from bonds. ▪ You should listen to me. I won't steer you wrong. [=I won't give you bad advice]
2 [no obj] : to be moved or guided in a particular direction or along a particular course ▪ The car was steering right at us. ▪ The boat steered out to sea.
3 [+ obj] a : to direct or guide the movement or progress of (something) ▪ He tried to steer the conversation away from his recent problems. ▪ She skillfully steered the bill through the legislature. ▪ He steered the team to another championship last year. b : to cause (someone) to act in a particular way ▪ The high recent returns on stocks have steered many investors away from bonds. ▪ You should listen to me. I won't steer you wrong. [=I won't give you bad advice]
steer clear
US : to keep away from someone or something completely ▪ He's in a bad mood. You'd better steer clear [=avoid him] if you don't want trouble. —usually + of ▪ You'd better steer clear of him. ▪ I try to steer clear of the subject of politics when I talk to him.