Steer Clear Meaning

Example : 1835, James Fenimore Cooper, The Monikins, Introduction:  I always told Sir John to steer clear of too much journalizing.1880, Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, ch. 4:  Foreign youth steer clear of the gymnasium; its rules are too severe.1914, Edward Stratemeyer, Dave Porter in the Gold Fields, ch. 10:  "You steer clear of that rascally teacher and young Merwell," advised Dave's father. "They are a bad lot."  "I'll steer clear if I can," answered Dave.1964 Jan. 28, Bosley Crowther, "Movie Review: The Seventh Juror (1962)," New York Times (retrieved 15 Jan 2014):  But unless you are also philosophical and like to listen to a lot of dialogue—or, worse yet, read reams of subtitles—I think you'd be wise to steer clear.2013, "Surveillance State: Three Ways You're Being Watched," BloombergBusinessweek Videos (retrieved 15 Jan 2014):  If you think you can steer clear of government surveillance by staying off-line, think again.