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

This behavior is similar to that of Cancers, who tend to keep others at arm's length before forming close relationships. —Lisa Stardust, People.com, 18 June 2025

That's about the same as a little finger held at arm's length against the night sky. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

The two objects will be separated by a rather wide gap: roughly 7 degrees, which is approximately equal to three-quarters of the apparent width of your fist held at arm's length. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 22 May 2025

Start looking about 30 minutes after sunset, scanning two fist-widths at arm's length directly below Venus. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Feb. 2025

Rhymes for at arm's length

• strength