arm's length

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Roosevelt disliked Woodruff and kept him at arm’s length, although he did allow Pinchot to hire Woodruff at the Agriculture Department.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Noah Petro, head of NASA's planetary geology lab, told AFP that the Moon will look to the astronauts "about the size of a basketball held at arm's length."

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Disney isn’t the only partner OpenAI is now holding at a robotic arm’s length.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Quangos - or arm's length bodies - are organisations such as regulators, cultural institutions and advisory bodies which are funded by taxpayers but not directly controlled from Whitehall.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Alf held the damp, sea-stained carpetbag at arm’s length.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood