to avoid getting too close to someone
держать кого-то на расстоянии (derzhat kogo-to na rasstoyanii)
"After the argument, I kept him at arm’s length."
"После ссоры я держал его на расстоянии." (posle ssory ya derzhal yego na rasstoyanii)
to decide not to do something because of fear
to prevent something from happening
To do something easily or successfully.
to trust your instincts when making a decision
to be certain that something is true or will happen
to create the base or starting point for something
