to sheer off

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Sheer \Sheer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sheered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Sheering}.] [D. sheren to shear, cut, withdraw, warp. See
   {Shear}.]
   To decline or deviate from the line of the proper course; to
   turn aside; to swerve; as, a ship sheers from her course; a
   horse sheers at a bicycle.
   [1913 Webster]

   {To sheer off}, to turn or move aside to a distance; to move
      away.

   {To sheer up}, to approach obliquely.
      [1913 Webster]