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the long arm of the law

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the long arm of the law

the ability of the police and courts to force people to obey the rules Many people believe that any kind of marriage law extends the long arm of the law too far into private matters.

See also: arm, law, long, of

the long arm of the law

  (humorous)

the police You know what they say, you can't escape the long arm of the law.

See also: arm, law, long, of