at arm's length
idiom
1
: from a distance that is the length of a person's arm
It's best to view the painting at arm's length.
holding a candle at arm's length
2
: in a condition that individuals act independently and without one having undue influence over another
a deal arranged at arm's length
Examples of at arm's length in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bryant went 6 of 7 from the free-throw line over the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to keep the Hurricane at arm's length and walk away with a tough 79-71 victory at Hornet Arena.
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Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
For context, the width of your three middle fingers held at arm's length accounts for 5 degrees in the night sky.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Presidential preferences are supposed to be held at arm's length from such reviews by antitrust regulators at the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Justice Department.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 8 Dec. 2025
Except for the colors, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is visually indistinguishable from its predecessor at arm's length.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at arm's length
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Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
For context, the width of your three middle fingers held at arm's length accounts for 5 degrees in the night sky.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Presidential preferences are supposed to be held at arm's length from such reviews by antitrust regulators at the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Justice Department.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 8 Dec. 2025
Except for the colors, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is visually indistinguishable from its predecessor at arm's length.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at arm's length
Cite this Entry
“At arm's length.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20arm%27s%20length. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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