at arm's length
- distantFar away or aloof
- standoffishUnfriendly in manner
- reservedRestrained in manner
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- guardedWary and restrained
wary · detached · cold · formal · impersonal · cool · remote · reach · stretch · buffer · boundary · space · caution · mistrust · professional · stiff · polite · measured
- measurement idiomsinch by inch, give an inch, whole nine yards, by a mile, go the extra mile
physical proximity
at arm's lengthup close
At close range
within reach · nose to nose · cheek to cheek · side by side · nearby
emotional/relational intimacy
at arm's lengthintimately
In a private, personal manner
closely · close to one's heart · warmly · with open arms · tight-knit