Meaning: To avoid becoming too close or friendly with someone
Hindi: दूरी बनाए रखना
Synonyms: keep distance, stay aloof
Asked in: SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 · SSC CGL 2023 T-1 · SSC MTS 2023 · SSC Steno 2019 T-1
keep at arm's length in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank.
This gun should be handled with care and ____________.
(SSC CHSL 2024 T-1 (03-July Shift 4))Answer & explanation
Answer: D) kept at arm’s length
The most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank is:
kept at arm’s length
This idiom means to keep something or someone at a safe distance, both literally and figuratively, which fits the context of handling a gun carefully.
Here’s why the other options are incorrect:
• Shot for safety is not a common idiom and doesn’t fit the context of handling something carefully.
• Mince the matters is not a standard idiom. "Mince" usually refers to cutting into small pieces, but it doesn't apply here.
• Nip in the bud means to stop something before it develops, which is unrelated to handling a gun carefully.
Thus, the correct answer is kept at arm’s length. The sentence would read:
"This gun should be ha - SSC CGL 2023 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Keep someone at arm’s lengthAnswer & explanation
Answer: D) Avoid becoming friendly with someone
Answer: Avoid becoming friendly with someone
Solution:
• The idiom "keep someone at arm’s length" means to maintain a distance from someone, usually to avoid becoming too friendly or involved – किसी से ज्यादा घुलने-मिलने से बचना।
• It implies keeping a deliberate emotional or physical distance.
Other options:
• Avoid playing with someone – too specific and literal
• Avoid becoming bitter with someone – unrelated meaning
• Being someone’s enemy – incorrect meaning
Therefore, the correct meaning is: Avoid becoming friendly with someone. - SSC MTS 2023 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Keep someone at arm’s lengthAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) To avoid becoming too close or friendly with someone
The most appropriate meaning of the given idiom "Keep someone at arm’s length" is: To avoid becoming too close or friendly with someone. This idiom is used to express the act of maintaining a certain distance or avoiding intimacy with someone, either physically or emotionally.
Examples
- “He prefers to keep his colleagues at arm's length.”
keep at arm's length – questions
What is the meaning of keep at arm's length in Hindi?
keep at arm's length means “दूरी बनाए रखना” in Hindi. In English: To avoid becoming too close or friendly with someone
What are the synonyms of keep at arm's length?
Synonyms of keep at arm's length: keep distance, stay aloof.
Has keep at arm's length been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – keep at arm's length has been asked 4 times in SSC exams: SSC CHSL 2024 T-1, SSC CGL 2023 T-1, SSC MTS 2023, SSC Steno 2019 T-1.