verb
Meaning 1
Keep at a distance, away from one's body.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Phrase guide
keep at arm's length
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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verb
Meaning 2
Avoid direct confrontation or struggle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 3
Avoid a close relationship.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
Examples
- She's been keeping me at arm's length all the time. She doesn't want to get involved.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
Translations
6 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Estonian: distantsi hoidma — Translations
- German: sich vom Leibe halten — Translations
- German: sich vom Halse halten — Translations
- Hungarian: távol tart magától — Translations
- Hungarian: megtartja a három lépés távolságot — Translations
- Swedish: hålla på armlängds avstånd — Translations