hold at arm's length



hold/keep somebody at arm's length

to not allow someone to become too friendly with you I always had the feeling she was keeping me at arm's length.
See also: hold, length

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Nona (1)-Roman Mythology
HeikeHIE-kə (Low German, Dutch)Low German, Frisian, Dutch
Erna (1)ER-nah (German, Swedish)German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish
EmmelineEM-ə-leen, EM-ə-lienEnglish (Archaic)
Yuzukiyoo-zoo-keeJapanese
Su-Binsoo-beenKorean