at arm's length

idiom

1
: from a distance that is the length of a person's arm
It's best to view the painting at arm's length.
holding a candle at arm's length
2
: in a condition that individuals act independently and without one having undue influence over another
a deal arranged at arm's length

Examples of at arm's length in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Start looking about 30 minutes after sunset, scanning two fist-widths at arm's length directly below Venus. Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Feb. 2025 To perform pencil push-ups, hold a pencil between the eyes at arm's length. Laura Schober, Health, 12 Feb. 2025 Androids in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero don't require a particular type of energy usually needed in the game to fly, and these players had been using this to run out the timer on the match by flying away from their opponent, using the advantage from not needing energy to keep at arm's length. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024 When held at arm's length, the bigger display fills a surprisingly large amount of your field of vision. Brian Westover, PCMAG, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for at arm's length

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Cite this Entry

“At arm's length.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20arm%27s%20length. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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