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
Travel hands-free and stash crucial items like passports and wallets at arm's length with the 20% off Metro Sling, a sleek belt bag available in nylon or vegan leather.
—
Samantha Jones, Good Housekeeping, 28 Aug. 2023
Alternating Reverse Lunge To Bicep Curl How to: Grab a pair of dumbbells and hold them at arm's length next to sides, palms facing each other.
—Sarah Felbin, Women's Health, 18 Apr. 2023
Carter has been a consistent three-point shooter, but of late his triples have often come at times that swing momentum and this pair helped the Bucks keep the Magic at arm's length and set up a victory.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2023
Youngkin has been walking a careful line between politely keeping former President Donald Trump at arm's length while trying to convince Trump voters to show up at the polls.
—Peter Weber, The Week, 2 Nov. 2021
Of course, many also decide to move back to reap the benefits of big city life, which has now become available again—from the vibrant lifestyle to the myriad dining options to having countless conveniences at arm's length.
—Oleksiy Lubinsky, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021
That tiny region of the sky - easily blocked by a grain of sand held at arm's length - contains thousands of galaxies, each a sprawling city of billions of stars.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2012
It's only been a few weeks since Republicans were parsing the victory of Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin in Virginia as a sign that keeping Trump-style extremism at arm's length could help the GOP win back critical suburban voters.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN, 17 Nov. 2021
With that cushion, the Heat were able to keep the Bucks at arm's length until their flurry in the final seconds.
—Matt Velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2020
See More
Samantha Jones, Good Housekeeping, 28 Aug. 2023
Alternating Reverse Lunge To Bicep Curl How to: Grab a pair of dumbbells and hold them at arm's length next to sides, palms facing each other.
—Sarah Felbin, Women's Health, 18 Apr. 2023
Carter has been a consistent three-point shooter, but of late his triples have often come at times that swing momentum and this pair helped the Bucks keep the Magic at arm's length and set up a victory.
—Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2023
Youngkin has been walking a careful line between politely keeping former President Donald Trump at arm's length while trying to convince Trump voters to show up at the polls.
—Peter Weber, The Week, 2 Nov. 2021
Of course, many also decide to move back to reap the benefits of big city life, which has now become available again—from the vibrant lifestyle to the myriad dining options to having countless conveniences at arm's length.
—Oleksiy Lubinsky, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021
That tiny region of the sky - easily blocked by a grain of sand held at arm's length - contains thousands of galaxies, each a sprawling city of billions of stars.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2012
It's only been a few weeks since Republicans were parsing the victory of Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin in Virginia as a sign that keeping Trump-style extremism at arm's length could help the GOP win back critical suburban voters.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN, 17 Nov. 2021
With that cushion, the Heat were able to keep the Bucks at arm's length until their flurry in the final seconds.
—Matt Velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at arm's length.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 4 Dec. 2023.
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