Avert for Dummies

Avert is a word that we use to describe when we prevent something from happening or stop a potential problem in its tracks. It’s like putting up a shield to protect yourself from something that could harm you. It’s like when you see a big storm coming and you take shelter inside so that you don’t get wet or cold. In this way, you are averting the potential discomfort and possible dangers that may come from being outside in the storm.

Think of it this way: Imagine you are walking down the street and suddenly you see a big hole right in front of you. If you keep walking, you might fall into it and hurt yourself. But if you quickly change your direction and go around it, you avert the possibility of getting hurt. So, avert means to take action to avoid or prevent something negative from happening—kind of like when you put on a raincoat to stay dry and avert the chance of getting soaked by rain.

When it comes to avert, it can also mean to turn away or divert attention from something. For example, imagine you are in class and your friend is about to do something that might get both of you in trouble with the teacher. You might try to avert their attention by telling a joke or asking a question to distract them from what your friend is doing. So, in this case, avert means to shift the focus away from something. It’s like using a magician's trick to make the audience look somewhere else so they don't see the real trick happening.

In summary, avert means to prevent or stop something from happening. It's like protecting yourself from harm or shifting attention away from something. So, whether it's avoiding a problem or distracting attention, avert involves taking action to make sure something undesirable doesn't occur.