long arm of the law

Also found in: Acronyms.

the long arm of the law

The broad, far-reaching power or influence of the police or legal system. He may have eluded us for now, but he won't escape the long arm of the law for long. The long arm of the law is finally wrapping its fingers around these corrupt politicians.

See also: arm, law, long, of

long arm of the law

Fig. the police; the law. The long arm of the law is going to tap you on the shoulder some day, Lefty. The long arm of the law finally caught up with Gert.

See also: arm, law, long, of

the long arm of the law

People use the long arm of the law to describe the power of the police and the legal system to find and punish criminals. He was determined that Laing would not escape the long arm of the law and drove him directly to a police station.

See also: arm, law, long, of

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

the long (or strong) arm of the law

the police seen as a far-reaching or intimidating power.

See also: arm, law, long, of

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

the long arm of the ˈlaw

the ability of the police and the legal system to find criminals and punish them: You have to be a very clever criminal to escape the long arm of the law.

See also: arm, law, long, of

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

long arm of the law

n. the police; the law. (see also arm.) The long arm of the law is going to tap you on the shoulder some day, Lefty.

See also: arm, law, long, of

See also:

References in periodicals archive ?

"It cannot be denied that police is the long arm of the law available to the State to enforce rule of law and thus protect human rights of its citizens.

NHRC condemns killing of policemen in Chhattisgarh

But surely, the long arm of the law has been a bit heavy-handed with jobless Stewart Smith.

Waste of fine; RecordView

Because bobbies are not just the long arm of the law, but also the safest pair of hands.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: Lessons in life

And it is not impossible that the long arm of the law comes up with other revelations.

CORRUPTION INQUIRY - MORE DETAILS

The long arm of the law reaches farther now," said Pratt.

Interstate wildlife compact: twenty-two states work to keep wildlife violators out

Under current law, reporters' ability to shield sources from the long arm of the law is not a federal right for all Americans but a privilege granted in 31 states and the District of Columbia to the limited category of human being known as "journalist" And by wearing the First Amendment like a badge, Bronstein is neatly evading his role in helping the government eviscerate another part of the Bill of Rights.

Taking the fifth: when journalists threaten our right to remain silent

Granting the flaws in his sampling techniques, symptoms of the social science at the time rather than of any secret agenda, the broad conclusions Kinsey drew from his data have held up--and it's those conclusions that ultimately changed the way a nation talked about sex and subsequently kicked the long arm of the law out of the American bedroom: Homosexuality, premarital sex, and extramarital sex were all more common than previously acknowledged.

The joy of sexology: does it matter that Alfred Kinsey enjoyed his work more than he let on?

In its heyday, Napster was the vehicle for millions of song swaps and, by all reports, was still growing when the long arm of the law slid its mouse across the URL and clicked it closed.

Net's power intimidates. (On the Net)

Instead, we get an advertisement warning benefit cheats that the long arm of the law is about to grab them, and another with a similarly bleak message for those tempted to indulge in a spot of tobacco smuggling.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: We're not all on the make or take!; It is about time the powers that be realised that we get a better class of reader at the Racing Post

As it becomes routine for law enforcement to obtain latent prints from skin, murderers who reach out to harm their victims will just be putting themselves within easy reach of the long arm of the law.

Hidden evidence: latent prints on human skin

* Tom McBride, who brought in the long arm of the law to handle a serious pilferage problem.

Outstanding performance

The long arm of the law is about to get a bit more colourful as West Yorkshire Police allow officers to display tattoos It's about time.

You say..

"Although he didn't feel the long arm of the law, he certainly has got the cold shoulder."

Drugs seized in China Town

Long arm of the law? With the clock ticking on SCs Thursday 2pm deadline for Gen Musharrafs appearance, it is still unclear if taking the courts word at face value ndash that he will not be arrested ndash would ensure freedom beyond merely walking out of the airplane and into the honourable court.

The Musharraf affair

A 21-year-old illegal drug trade suspect may have outsmarted arresting police officers in an anti-drug raid in his home on Tuesday but the long arm of the law caught up with him the following day when he was arrested at the General Santos City International Airport.