arm (redirected from arms)

be armed to the teeth

if a person or a country is armed to the teeth, they have many weapons. We walked past a group of soldiers, armed to the teeth.

See also: teeth

be up in arms

to be very angry. The students are up in arms about the standard of teaching at the college. (often + about) Local traders are up in arms over the effect of the new parking regulations on their businesses. (often + over)

chance your arm (British & Australian, informal)

to take a risk in order to get something that you want. Aren't you chancing your arm a bit giving up a secure job to start a business?

See also: chance

cost (someone) an arm and a leg (informal)

to be very expensive. These opera tickets cost us an arm and a leg!

See also: cost, leg

could do something with one arm/hand tied behind their back (informal)

if someone could do something with one hand tied behind their back, they can do it very easily. Her part in the film wasn't very demanding - she could have played it with one hand tied behind her back.

See also: back, behind, could, hand, tie

greet/welcome someone/something with open arms

to be very pleased to see someone, or to be very pleased with something new. I was rather nervous about meeting my boyfriend's parents, but they welcomed me with open arms. Our company greeted the arrival of the Internet with open arms.

See also: open, welcome

hold/keep someone 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, keep, length

a list as long as your arm

if you say a list is as long as your arm, you mean that it is very long. Anyway, I'd better make a start. I've got a list as long as my arm of jobs to do.

See also: list, long

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: law, long

put the arm on someone (American, informal)

to try to force someone to do something. If he won't pay up, we'll get Rick to put the arm on him.

a shot in the arm (informal)

if something gives you a shot in the arm, it gives you encouragement or energy. The opening of a new research centre will give a much-needed shot in the arm for science in Britain.

See also: shot

twist someone's arm

to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do. He might help us with the painting if you twist his arm. 'Have a cream cake?' 'Oh, go on then, if you twist my arm.' (humorous)

See also: twist

would give their right arm

if someone would give their right arm for something, they would like it very much. I'd give my right arm to meet Sean Connery. (often + to do something) Lots of people would give their right arm for a job like yours. (often + for)

See also: give, right

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an arm and a leg

a lot of money. Everything the restaurant offers tastes good, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Usage notes: usually used with the verbs cost, pay, and charge

See also: leg

armed to the teeth

having many and powerful weapons. Some of these gangs are armed to the teeth.

See also: teeth

bear arms

to carry weapons. The court stated that the right of an individual to keep and bear arms is not guaranteed by the Second Amendment.

Usage notes: usually used in the phrases right to bear arms and keep and bear armswhich, of course, has nothing to do with the right to bare arms -CB

See also: bear

get your arms around something

to feel confident that you have a good understanding of something that is complicated. There are so many different aspects of the energy situation that it's hard to get your arms around it.

get your mind around something

See also: around

keep someone/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.

keep your distance (from someone/something)

Etymology: from the literal meaning of at arm's length (= away from you by a distance equal to the length of your arm)

See also: keep, length

keep something at arm's lengthSee at: keep someone/something at arm's length

See also: keep, length

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: law, long

a shot in the arm

a strong positive influence. Winning this award is a big shot in the arm for our students.

See also: shot

take up arms

to fight with weapons against an enemy. They took up arms only after other means of resolving their differences failed.

See also: take

twist someone's arm

to strongly encourage someone to do something they do not want to do. If he doesn't want to go, you've just got to twist his arm to get him to do it.

See also: twist

up in arms

very angry. Local businessmen are up in arms over the new parking regulations which will make shopping very inconvenient for customers.

Usage notes: often followed by a phrase beginning with over, as in the example, or about: Why aren't we up in arms about children who are not being educated?

with open arms

with happiness or enthusiasm. After suing the organization, I know I'm not going to be greeted with open arms.

Usage notes: often used with the verb welcome: A lot of our customers wouldn't be welcomed with open arms in other stores.

See also: open