But the clay was soft, and Claus found he must handle it gently to avoid ruining his pretty work.

The card suggests that the subject should not despair in difficult times, to avoid ruining future prospects for success.

In his experience, women tended to avoid ruining their faces when they did away with themselves.

Avoid ruining the slots or wrench opening, because drilling may then be required.

"That's what you'd like to do to avoid ruining someone's career."

Since both are superstitious, they end their relationship in order to avoid ruining Eddie's ability to play.

(If you didn't go but intend to do so, skip the rest of this article to avoid ruining the puzzle's effect.)

Well, I've put these notes at the back of the book to avoid ruining your willing suspension of disbelief.

In order to avoid ruining your favorite shirt, you'll have to resort to other means of cleaning it - namely, dry cleaning.

Instead, she complained informally to her superiors, perhaps in an effort to avoid ruining another officer's career.