at a distance

1. From a far way away. At a distance, it doesn't look like much. But when you get closer, it's quite spectacular. I'm not feeling well, so you should probably stay at a distance. You've got to make sure to keep this stuff at a distance if you're handling nitric acid—unless you want an explosion, that is.

2. With a level of separation or detachment. It was so nice to meet the artist in person after admiring his work at a distance for so long. John always holds his friends at a distance, so that no one gets close enough to hurt his feelings. The government has so far been keeping the country at a distance from the hostilities in the region.

at/from a ˈdistance

from a place or time that is not near; from far away: She had loved him at a distance for years.