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at arm's length
At or occupying a distance, either physical or figurative, away from oneself that affords a level of safety or security or that excludes intimacy. I'm involved in all the board meetings, but I prefer to stay at arm's length if the issues become too contentious. John always keeps his friends at arm's length, so that no one gets close enough to hurt his feelings.
arm's length
A distance intentionally kept from something or between something, equal (literally or figuratively) to an arm's span. Typically used in the phrase "keep at an arm's length." Nancy has been keeping me at an arm's length ever since she found out I was gossiping about her. You're filthy from that game, please stay an arm's length away from me! You can watch me cook, but stay at arm's length in case any hot oil spurts out of the pan.
give (someone) the length of (one's) tongue
To voice one's opinion, often in an aggressive or abusive way. I thought Paul was unhappy, but I did not expect him to lash out and give me the length of his tongue like that. I can't stand being around my mom when she starts giving us the length of her tongue.
go to any length(s)
To do anything necessary to accomplish or attain something. I will go to any length to get an A in this class, professor—I'll clean your office, wash your car, anything! Go to any lengths you need to, just get me a reservation for this Saturday night!
short of a length
In cricket, a short delivery from the bowler to the batsman. Quit pitching the ball short of a length—that's how they're getting so many hits!
at great length
For a long duration. When I came home after curfew, my mom interrogated me at great length. He spoke at great length about how he had been inspired by his trip.
at length
1. In great detail. I studied American modernism in college, so I can speak about Eliot's poetry at length.
2. For a long period of time. My father always lectures me at length about the dangers of living in the city.
3. Finally. At length, the sermon ended.
*at great length
for a long period of time. (*Typically: explain ~; question someone ~; speak ~.) The lawyer questioned the witness at great length.
at length
1. after some time; finally. At length, the roses bloomed, and the tomatoes ripened. And at length, the wizard spoke.
2. and at some length for quite a long time. He spoke to us about the problem at some length. He described the history of his village at length.
go to any length
Fig. to do whatever is necessary. (See also
go to great lengths (to do something).)
I'll go to any length to secure this contract. I want to get a college degree, but I won't go to any length to get one. go to great lengths (to do something)
and go to any lengths (to do something)to work very hard to accomplish something; to expend great efforts in trying to do something. I went to great lengths to explain to him that he was not in any trouble.
keep at arm's length from someone or something
and keep someone or something at arm's lengthFig. to retain a degree of physical or social remoteness from someone or something. I try to keep at arm's length from Larry, since our disagreement. I keep Tom at arm's length because we don't get along.
keep somebody/something at arm's length
also hold somebody/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 somebody/something)Etymology: from the literal meaning of at arm's length ( away from you by a distance equal to the length of your arm)
at length
1. for a long time We have discussed at length the events that led to his suspension.
2. after a period of time At length, Nick realized that she was listening to the music more than she was listening to him.
go to great lengths to do something
to try very hard to achieve a result This champion marathon runner is going to great lengths to help needy children. Both sides have gone to great lengths to emphasize areas of similarity in their proposals.
Related vocabulary: take (great) pains to do somethinghold/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.
go to great lengths to do something
to try very hard to achieve something I went to great lengths to explain the situation to him but he still didn't seem to understand.
at arm's length
At a distance, avoiding intimacy or familiarity, as in Bill hated seeing his colleagues outside the office, preferring to keep all of them at arm's length , or She was friendly only when he was safely at arm's length. Now often used with the verb keep, this term for distancing oneself from a person, organization, or issue originated as at arm's end but developed its current form by the mid-1600s.
at length
1. In full, extensively. For example, The preacher went on at length about sin, or I have read at length about these cameras. [c. 1500]
2. After a long time, finally, as in
At length the procession ended. [Early 1500s] Also see
in the long run.
go to any length
Also, go to great lengths. Take a great deal of trouble for something, go to extremes. For example, He'll go to great lengths to make a perfect chocolate cake, or, as Benjamin Disraeli put it in Coningsby (1844): "He would go ... [to] any lengths for his party."
at arm's length
At such a distance that physical or social contact is discouraged: kept the newcomer at arm's length at first.
at length
1. After some time; eventually: At length we arrived at our destination.
2. For a considerable time; fully: spoke at length about the court ruling.