arm's length
Not too close
Arm's length describes a distance of separation—literal or figurative.
Literally, it's about as far as you can reach: Hold the book at arm's length.
Figuratively, it means maintaining deliberate distance in a relationship: She kept her coworkers at arm's length.
In business and law, an arm's-length transaction occurs between independent parties with no special relationship that might compromise fairness.
Objective exchange price
- third partyUninvolved outside entity
- market valueCurrent trading price
- pricingEstablishing monetary amounts charged
- objectivityFreedom from personal bias
impartiality · recusal · due diligence · disclosure · transparency · audit · compliance · fiduciary
Extend to touch
- spanDistance between endpoints
- gapUnfilled space between
- separationState of being apart
- spaceUnoccupied area or interval
buffer · clearance · proximity · interval · boundary · perimeter · limit · stretch
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
- impartialShowing no preference
- objectivePurpose or goal
- disinterestedFree from personal stakes
neutral · impersonal · uninvolved · reserved · clinical · standoffish · remote · cool
Enforceable written agreement
- agreementShared position between parties
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
decorum · convention · procedural · official · regulation · documentation · stipulation · terms
fair market value
Objective exchange price
- third partyUninvolved outside entity
- market valueCurrent trading price
- pricingEstablishing monetary amounts charged
objectivity · impartiality · recusal · due diligence · disclosure · transparency · audit · compliance · fiduciary · appraisal
reach
Extend to touch
- spanDistance between endpoints
- gapUnfilled space between
- separationState of being apart
space · buffer · clearance · proximity · interval · boundary · perimeter · limit · stretch · extension
aloof
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
- impartialShowing no preference
- objectivePurpose or goal
disinterested · neutral · impersonal · uninvolved · reserved · clinical · standoffish · remote · cool · removed
contract
Enforceable written agreement
- agreementShared position between parties
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
diplomacy · decorum · convention · procedural · official · regulation · documentation · stipulation · terms · conditions
- distance phrasesstone's throw, within reach, far away, nearby, close by
- close rangepoint-blank, close quarters, short-range, striking distance, within reach
- within reachclose, nearby, near, handy, accessible
- personal spacepersonal bubble, social distance, buffer zone, comfort zone, proximity
- international taxdouble taxation, tax treaty, withholding tax, tax haven, tax havens
- measurementsheight, stature, meters, depth, pound
arm's lengthup close
At close range
close-up · within reach · face-to-face · nose-to-nose · hand-in-hand
arm's lengthintimate
Closely personal or private
close · tight-knit · joined at the hip · inseparable · hand in glove
arm's lengthinsider
One with confidential access
self-dealing · conflicted · partial · biased · preferential
arm, arms, length, lengthy, elongate, elongated, lengths, lengthwise, elongation