keep at arm's length

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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)

See also: keep, length

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"Father," said Young Jerry, as they walked along: taking care to keep at arm's length and to have the stool well between them: "what's a Resurrection-Man? A Tale Of Two Cities by Dickens, Charles View in context It was one of those thoughts one had to fight down, keep at arm's length at any cost. The Shadow Line by Conrad, Joseph View in context			keep a civil tongue in head keep a close watch on keep a firm grip on keep a lid on keep a low profile keep a promise keep a secret Keep a stiff upper lip keep a straight face Keep a thing seven years and you'll find a use for it keep a tight rein on keep a weather eye on keep about keep abreast of keep after keep an act up keep an ear out for keep an ear to the ground keep an eye on keep an eye out keep an eye out for keep an open mind keep an/ ear to the ground keep apart keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep at arm's length from keep at bay keep away keep back keep banker's hours keep body and soul together keep cards close to chest keep chair keep chin up keep close watch on keep company keep cool keep dark keep distance keep distance (from keep end up keep eye on keep eye on the ball keep eyes open keep eyes peeled keep faith with keep feet on the ground keep finger on the pulse of keep fingers crossed keep fit			keep an eye on keep an eye open keep an eye open keep an eye open keep an eye open keep an eye out keep an eye out keep an eye out keep an eye out keep an eye out keep an eye out for keep an eye upon keep an open mind keep an open mind keep an/ ear to the ground Keep and Bear Arms keep apart keep apart keep apart keep around keep as captive keep as one’s own keep at keep at keep at keep at keep at keep at a distance keep at a distance keep at a distance from keep at arm's length keep at arm's length from keep at bay keep at bay keep at bay keep at bay keep at bay keep at bay keep at someone Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Keep Australia Beautiful Council, Queensland Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria keep away keep away keep away keep away keep away keep away from keep back keep back keep back keep back keep back keep bad time keep bad time keep bad time keep bad time keep banker's hours keep bed

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