keep something at arm's length

keep something at arm's length
keep (someone/something) at arm's length to avoid becoming connected with someone or something.

We proposed a tax break for companies that treat their workers well, but lawmakers are keeping the idea at arm's length for now.

She doesn't talk much about it because she needs to hold these painful experiences at arm's length.

Related vocabulary: keep your distance from someone/something Etymology: from the literal meaning of at arm's length (= away from you by a distance equal to the length of your arm)

New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • keep something at arm's length — keep (something) at arm s length See at: keep at arm s length …   New idioms dictionary

  • keep someone at arm's length — keep (someone/something) at arm s length to avoid becoming connected with someone or something. We proposed a tax break for companies that treat their workers well, but lawmakers are keeping the idea at arm s length for now. She doesn t talk much …   New idioms dictionary

  • keep someone at arm's length — If you keep someone or something at arm s length, you keep a safe distance away from them …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • keep someone at arm's length —    If you keep someone or something at arm s length, you keep a safe distance away from them.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    If you keep someone at arm s length, you do not allow yourself to become friendly with them.     It s not easy… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • keep at arm's length — keep (something) at arm s length See at: keep at arm s length …   New idioms dictionary

  • keep someone/something at arm's length — avoid intimacy or close contact with someone or something …   Useful english dictionary

  • keep at arm's length — keep (someone/something) at arm s length to avoid becoming connected with someone or something. We proposed a tax break for companies that treat their workers well, but lawmakers are keeping the idea at arm s length for now. She doesn t talk much …   New idioms dictionary

  • at arm's length — adverb at some distance (Freq. 1) keep someone at arm s length * * * away from the body, with the arm fully extended I held the telephone at arm s length * * * at arm s length : from a distance that is the length of a person s arm It s best to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • keep your distance from something — keep (your) distance (from (someone/something)) to avoid becoming too friendly or emotionally involved with someone. I ve seen her around the office, but she keeps her distance from most of us. The boy carefully kept his distance from the… …   New idioms dictionary

  • keep distance from something — keep (your) distance (from (someone/something)) to avoid becoming too friendly or emotionally involved with someone. I ve seen her around the office, but she keeps her distance from most of us. The boy carefully kept his distance from the… …   New idioms dictionary

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