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arm's length

[ahrmz-lengkth, -length] / ˈɑrmzˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ /
NOUN
at a distance to exclude intimacy
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Other sports leagues have kept prediction markets at arms length.

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

In a letter to Mr Bates in 2010, Sir Ed said the government had an "arms length relationship" with the Post Office, so it had "the commercial freedom to run its business operations without interference".

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2024

Others have held it at arms length, treating it as an instance of the paranoid style in American politics.

From New York Times • May 27, 2022

But Discovery and WarnerMedia’s previous owner AT&T kept arms length from each other until the completion of the merger.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2022

Most everyone else kept me at arms length.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk