idiom · informal
keep someone at arm's length
UK/kiːp ˈsʌmwʌn æt ɑːmz leŋθ/US/kiːp ˈsʌmwən æt ɑrmz leŋθ/some·ONE at ARM'S·length
To deliberately avoid getting emotionally close to someone.
Examples
“Even though we work together, I try to keep my colleagues at arm's length.”
“After being hurt before, she keeps most people at arm's length.”
“He always keeps new classmates at arm's length until he trusts them.”
Band 8 sentence
“I don't gossip about colleagues, and I deliberately keep people at arm's length until I know their character.”
Collocations
- keep someone at arm's length
- keep colleagues/friends at arm's length
Word family
Common mistakes
keep someone in arm's length→keep someone at arm's length
giữ ai ở cự ly một cánh tay→giữ ai ở khoảng cách tình cảm
Say it for a higher band
5avoid→6keep a distance→7+keep someone at arm's length
Synonyms
keep someone at a distance
Easily confused
keep someone at bay
“The guards managed to keep the protesters at bay.”
Related words
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In Relationships
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