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At Arm's Length

What Does "At Arm's Length" Mean?

homeidiomsAt Arm's Length
"At arm's length" is an English idiom. It means "keeping a distance, either physically, emotionally, or figuratively."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "at arm's length" used in a sentence:
  • He always kept his competitors at arm's length.
  • She tends to hold her emotions at arm's length, so it's hard to know how she feels.
  • The museum asks visitors to keep the exhibits at arm's length.
meaning for at arm's length

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "At Arm's Length" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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