keep at arm's length from

keep at arm's length from (someone or something)

To maintain a protective level of detachment or dissociation from someone or something. John has been keeping at arm's length from all of us lately, so no one knows how he is really doing. The senator was careful to keep at arm's length from the controversial topic during his re-election campaign.
See also: keep, length
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

keep at arm's length from someone or something

 and keep someone or something at arm's length
Fig. to retain a degree of physical or social remoteness from someone or something. I try to keep at arm's length from Larry, since our disagreement. I keep Tom at arm's length because we don't get along.
See also: keep, length
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive ?
I'm sure Gordon will keep at arm's length from the day-to-day football side of things.
SMITH PERFECT FOR GERS
Another feature equally appreciated is the laid-back attitude of the local police.L TIME was when political parties were banned from having stands on the Eisteddfod field, as the festival attempted to keep at arm's length from politics.
: Take the cookery demonstrations with a pinch of salt; Ian Parri's EISTEDDFOD DIARY
A bright new name is often reserved for a product the parent company wants to keep at arm's length from its core business, especially when their values are distinct.
Smile or buzz off - it was ever thus
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