keep\ at\ a\ distance

keep\ at\ a\ distance
• keep (one) at a distance
• keep (one) at arm's length
v. phr.
To avoid (someone's) company; not become too friendly toward.

Mr. Smith is kind to the workers in his store but after work he keeps them at a distance.

Betty likes Bill and is trying to be friendly, but he keeps her at arm's length.

Compare: keep one's distance, hold off(1a)

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • keep at a distance — index eschew, estrange, rebuff Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • keep one's distance — index shun Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • keep one's distance — verb stay clear of, avoid Keep your hands off my wife! Keep your distance from this man he is dangerous • Syn: ↑stand back, ↑keep one s eyes off, ↑keep one s hands off, ↑stay away • Hypernyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • keep at a distance — phrasal see keep one s distance * * * keep (someone) at a distance : to be unfriendly toward (someone) She always kept her coworkers at a distance. • • • Main Entry: ↑distance …   Useful english dictionary

  • keep one's distance — or keep at a distance phrasal to stay aloof ; maintain a reserved attitude …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • keep at a distance — phrasal see keep one s distance …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • keep at a distance from — index avoid (evade) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • keep one's distance — keep oneself apart, hold oneself at a distance, keep oneself away, stay away …   English contemporary dictionary

  • keep one's distance — {v. phr.} To be cool toward someone; avoid being friendly. * /Mary did not like her co worker, Betty, and kept her distance from her./ Compare: KEEP ONE AT A DISTANCE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • keep one's distance — {v. phr.} To be cool toward someone; avoid being friendly. * /Mary did not like her co worker, Betty, and kept her distance from her./ Compare: KEEP ONE AT A DISTANCE …   Dictionary of American idioms

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