Welcome to Idiom 100, where we learn 100 commonly used idioms by native English speakers.

All of the explanations are in English, so it might be challenging for you,

but just try to imagine the meanings in your head and study hard and soon you'll be able to use these idioms in your conversations.

Is everyone ready? Let's begin.

Hello everyone!

Today's idiom is: keep at arm's length.

Keep at arm's length.

So, well, let's picture your arm is long, right?

So, if you want to keep something at arm's length, it's going to be a small distance from you.

So, maybe something you don't like.

Yeah, if you love chocolate, you're going to eat it, not keep it at arm's length, okay?

So, let's listen to the examples.

Have you gone drinking with your friends?

No, not yet. I’m keeping them at arm's length 'til I get to know them.

Okay, so she hasn't gone drinking with her friends, because she doesn't know them well.

So, she doesn't want to get too close to them. Not yet.

So, she keeps them at arm's length, a small distance, okay?

The second example:

How are things going with your new neighbor?

I didn't hear such good things about her, so I’m keeping her at an arm's length.

Okay, so in this case, maybe she doesn't trust her neighbor, so she doesn't want to get very close personally or physically.

She'll keep her at arm's length, keep a distance, a safe distance.

Okay, so next time you're talking about a person or a thing that maybe you don't like or don't trust,

you can say you'd like to keep it at an arm's length, okay?

Maybe not a good phrase to talk about your best friend or your mother, because you keep them very close,

but maybe someone you just met. You're not sure about them, if they're a safe or nice person, so you keep them at arm's length.

Alright, so that's all for today. I'll see you next time!