1 : from a distance that is the length of a person’s arm
It’s best to view the painting at arm’s length.
Holding a candle at arm’s length
2 : in a condition that individuals act independently and without one having undue influence over another
A deal arranged at arm’s length
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
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The phrase “at arm’s length” can be used in a non-literal sense to convey the idea of keeping someone or something at a distance, either physically or metaphorically. Here are a couple of common uses:
Emotional Distance: If someone says they are keeping someone or something “at arm’s length” emotionally, it means they are maintaining a certain level of emotional detachment or not getting too close to avoid becoming too involved or affected.
Business or Professional Context: In a business or professional context, the phrase can be used to describe a relationship where there is a deliberate effort to maintain a formal or cautious distance. For example, if someone is said to keep a business associate “at arm’s length,” it means they are maintaining a professional and possibly reserved relationship rather than becoming overly friendly or informal.
Caution or Suspicion: The phrase can also imply a level of caution or suspicion. If you keep someone or something “at arm’s length,” you are being wary and not fully embracing or trusting them.
In these non-literal uses, the expression emphasizes maintaining a certain degree of separation, either for emotional, professional, or cautionary reasons.
The phrase “keeping someone or something at arm’s length” can indeed be associated with maintaining a fair judgment. When used in this context, it suggests that a person is being objective and not allowing personal feelings or biases to influence their judgment. By keeping a certain distance, whether emotionally or figuratively, individuals may strive to maintain objectivity and make fair assessments or decisions. It implies a deliberate effort to avoid getting too close or involved, allowing for a more impartial evaluation of situations or people.
When used in the context of language or expression, “figuratively” refers to a way of speaking or writing that uses figures of speech, metaphors, or symbolism to convey a meaning beyond the literal interpretation of the words. In contrast to “literally,” which means exactly as stated without metaphor or exaggeration, “figuratively” allows for a more imaginative or symbolic interpretation.
For example, if someone says, “He has a heart of stone,” they are speaking figuratively, suggesting that the person is emotionally cold or unfeeling, rather than literally having a heart made of stone. Figurative language adds depth and nuance to communication by invoking images, comparisons, or associations that go beyond the literal meaning of the words.
In Dutch, to express the idea of maintaining a fair judgment or keeping a certain distance for objectivity, you could use phrases such as:
- Objectief blijven: To remain objective.
- Een zekere afstand bewaren: To maintain a certain distance.
- Onbevooroordeeld oordelen: To judge without prejudice.
For example, you could say:
- Hij blijft objectief in zijn oordeel en houdt een zekere afstand. (He remains objective in his judgment and keeps a certain distance.)
- We moeten onbevooroordeeld oordelen en niet te dichtbij komen. (We need to judge without prejudice and not get too close.)
These phrases convey the notion of maintaining fairness, objectivity, and a reasonable distance in judgment or evaluation.
The translation for the given phrase “in a condition that individuals act independently and without one having undue influence over another” in Dutch could be:
In een situatie waarin individuen onafhankelijk handelen en zonder dat de een ongerechtvaardigde invloed uitoefent op de ander.
So, the complete translation of the provided sentence “a deal arranged at arm’s length” would be:
Een overeenkomst opgesteld in een situatie waarin individuen onafhankelijk handelen en zonder dat de een ongerechtvaardigde invloed uitoefent op de ander.
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Let’s all take a moment of silence to honour our good friend Sparky. He’s fine and is enjoying retirement in Palm Springs, but he deserves it for being such a good actor.