keep someone at arm's length
US /kiːp ˈsʌm.wʌn æt ˈɑːrmz ˈleŋθ/
UK /kiːp ˈsʌm.wʌn æt ˈɑːrmz ˈleŋθ/
1.
to avoid being very friendly with someone
:
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She always keeps everyone at arm's length, even her closest colleagues.
•
After their argument, he decided to keep her at arm's length.