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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Keep someone at arm’s length

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To avoid allowing someone to become too close or friendly with you.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. She was polite but kept the new acquaintance at arm’s length.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To avoid allowing someone to become too close or friendly with you.
Show the answer

Keep someone at arm’s length — To avoid allowing someone to become too close or friendly with you.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Keep someone at arm’s length” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

To avoid allowing someone to become too close or friendly with you.

Compare: She was polite but kept the new acquaintance at arm’s length.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it when describing emotional or social distance. It suits conversation and general writing, and can describe a boundary rather than open hostility.

More examples in context

  • I felt that he was keeping me at arm’s length after our disagreement.
  • The character keeps everyone at arm’s length and rarely discusses her private life.

Usage note

The idiom concerns closeness in a relationship, not necessarily physical distance. Replace someone with the person concerned: keep me, him or them at arm’s length.

A short conversation

A: Does Jo share much about her life outside work?
B: Not really. She keeps most colleagues at arm’s length.
A: We should respect her preference for privacy.

One more practice question

Which behaviour keeps someone at arm’s length?

A. Remaining polite while avoiding a close personal relationship.
B. Welcoming them into every part of your private life immediately.

Check your answer

A. The person maintains social or emotional distance.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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