Synonyms

arm's-length

American

[ahrmz-lengkth, -length] / ˈɑrmzˌlɛŋkθ, -ˌlɛŋθ /

adjective

not closely or intimately connected or associated; distant; remote.

an arm's-length relationship.

arm's-length British

adjective

lacking intimacy or friendliness, esp when possessing some special connection, such as previous closeness

we now have an arm's-length relationship
(of commercial transactions) in accordance with market values, disregarding any connection such as common ownership of the companies involved

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of arm's-length

First recorded in 1645–55

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.

The company was still scrambling Thursday to explain the deal for a tool to identify and track foreigners on US soil, which it says was signed by an arm's-length subsidiary set up to bid on classified US government work, with limited oversight from HQ in France.

From Barron's

They have no good options, but a shift to an arm’s-length relationship is likely to make for a less pleasant business environment for U.S. companies operating overseas.

From The Wall Street Journal

Disclosure rules similarly make anonymous trading and arm’s-length shareholding safe.

From Barron's

Yet CEOs have a fiduciary duty to conceal strategic information that could tip off competitors from arm’s-length shareholders.

From Barron's

Arm’s-length stockholders who trust markets mistrust managers.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023