• to take one's stand on a principle
• to hold aloof, to keep aloof
• to confine oneself to facts
• he thinks himself somebody
• he makes no pretence to wit
• to dissociate oneself from sg, to keep clear of sg, to stand clear of sg, to steer clear of sg
• to be scarcely able to keep one's head above water
• he makes no pretence to wit
• he thinks himself somebody
• to confine oneself to instructions
• to confine oneself to instructions
• to keep afloat, to live on sg
• to hold one's hand, to pull oneself up