敬而远之 (jìng ér yuǎn zhī): Respect from a distance / keep at a respectful distance — Meaning & Stroke Order

He has always kept a respectful distance from those who enjoy gossiping and stirring up trouble.

Given its past record of broken promises, investors have no choice but to keep it at arm's length.

That colleague always complains, so everyone keeps him at arm's length.

Why do you also keep a respectful distance from that highly esteemed senior professor?

It's not that I'm keeping him at a distance; it's just that work has been extremely busy lately.

Although he is a senior executive in the company, because of his bad temper, all the employees keep a respectful distance from him.

Although he is highly capable, his arrogant attitude is intimidating, leaving people with no choice but to keep their distance.