1. part of your body or of something else2. weapons
arm
(ɑːʳm )
part of your body or of something else
Word forms: arms 1. countable noun [oft poss NOUN] A1
Your arms are the two long parts of your body that are attached to your shoulders and that have your hands at the end.
She stretched her arms out.
He had a large parcel under his left arm.
Synonyms: upper limb, limb, appendage
2. countable noun
The arm of a piece of clothing is the part of it that covers your arm.
3. countable noun
The arm of a chair is the part on which you rest your arm when you are sitting down.
4. countable noun
An arm of an object is a long thin part of it that sticks out from the main part.
...the lever arm of the machine. [+ of]
...the arms of the doctor's spectacles. [+ of]
5. countable noun
An arm of land or water is a long thin area of it that is joined to a broader area.
At the end of the other arm of Cardigan Bay is Bardsey Island. [+ of]
Synonyms: inlet, bay, passage, entrance
6. countable noun [usually singular]
An arm of an organization is a section of it that operates in a particular country or that deals with a particular activity.
Millicom Holdings is the British arm of an American company. [+ of]
...the research arm of Congress.
Synonyms: branch, part, office, department
7. arm in arm phrase
If two people are walking arm in arm, they are walking together with their arms linked.
He walked from the court arm in arm with his wife. [+ with]
8. an arm and a leg phrase
If you say that something costs an arm and a leg, you mean that it is very expensive. [informal]
A week at a health farm can cost an arm and a leg.
Synonyms: a lot of money, a bomb [British, slang], a fortune, a pile [informal]
9. at arm's length phrase
If you hold something at arm's length, you hold it away from your body with your arm straight.
He struck a match, and held it at arm's length.
10. keep sb at arm's length phrase
If you keep someone at arm's length, you avoid becoming too friendly or involved with them.
She had always kept his family at arm's length.
11. as long as your arm phrase [usually verb-link PHRASE]
If you say that a list is as long as your arm, you are emphasizing that it is very long. [informal, emphasis]
12. with open arms phrase
If you welcome some action or change with open arms, you are very pleased about it. If you welcome a person with open arms, you are very pleased about their arrival. [approval]
They would no doubt welcome the action with open arms.
Many Panamanians welcomed the troops with open arms.
13. to twist someone's arm phrase
If you twist someone's arm, you persuade them to do something. [informal]
She had twisted his arm to get him to invite her.
arm
(ɑːʳm )
weapons
Word forms: arms , arming , armed 1. plural noun [oft NOUN noun]
Arms are weapons, especially bombs and guns. [formal]
The group had extensive supplies of arms.
...arms control.
2. verb
If you arm someone with a weapon, you provide them with a weapon.
She'd been so terrified that she had armed herself with a loaded rifle. [VERB noun + with]
Arming the police doesn't deter crime. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: equip, provide, supply, outfit
3. verb
If you arm someone with something that will be useful in a particular situation, you provide them with it.
If she armed herself with knowledge, she could handle anything. [VERB noun + with]
Armed only with a BBC microphone, I travelled across South Africa meeting writers. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: provide, prime, prepare, protect
4. plural noun
The arms of a city or of a noble family are its coat of arms. Arms is often used in the names of British pubs.
...china painted with the arms of Philippe V.
...his local pub, the Abercorn Arms.
5. See also armed, -armed, coat of arms, comrade-in-arms, small arms
6. bear arms phrase
If a person bears arms, they own and use guns as a means of defence.
...a group that supports the right to bear arms.
7. lay down your arms phrase
If soldiers lay down their arms, they stop fighting and give up their weapons. [old-fashioned]
8. to take up arms phrase
If one group or country takes up arms against another, they prepare to attack and fight them.
They threatened to take up arms against the government if their demands were not met.
9. under arms phrase
If a country has people under arms, it has people trained to use weapons and to fight a war.
There are nearly four million soldiers under arms in this country.
10. up in arms phrase
If people are up in arms about something, they are very angry about it and are protesting strongly against it.
Environmental groups are up in arms about plans for fracking in the area.
Vocabulary Builder
BODY: FRONT head neck chest abdomen thigh face knee shin arm hand leg foot Idioms:
twist someone's arm
to try hard to persuade someone to do something
I didn't twist your arm to make you come. You wanted to because you sensed a story.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
someone would give their right arm to do something or someone would give their right arm for something
said to mean that someone wants something so much that they would do almost anything to get it
I would give my right arm to be able to start again.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
put the arm on someone [US]
to try to force someone to do what you want
You are not only writing checks, but you're putting the arm on other people to give to charity as well.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
cost an arm and a leg
to cost a lot of money
It cost us an arm and a leg to get here. But it has been worth it.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
chance your arm [British]
to do something risky or adventurous in order to get something you want
Instead of going on the dole I chanced my arm on a business.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
long as your arm
very long
The phone's been buzzing non-stop. I've a list of messages as long as my arm.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
a shot in the arm
help and encouragement at a time when you badly need it
The remaining problems can be dealt with in weeks, and to risk further delay would be to deny the world economy a desperately needed shot in the arm.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
arm holds arm muscles arm reaches arm rest arm strength arms dealers arms embargo arms flailing arms folded arms shipments bare arms charitable arm commercial arm cross the arms extend the arm finance arm investment arm management arm muscular arms research arm robotic arm swing an arm throwing arm
Usually obvious by the outstretched arm holding the cameraphone.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The alarmed, sealed box houses a robotic arm holding what looks like a can of baked beans.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Get a serving plate or board larger than your pan and put an oven glove on to protect the arm holding the board.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But ensure you stand up straight, and work your arm muscles hard as you press down.
The Sun
It responds to electric pulses sent to arm muscles by the brain, just like the real thing.
The Sun
These involve things such as lunges and sit-ups and lifting light weights to work your arm muscles as well.
Times, Sunday Times
It recommends 'at least 100-150 push-ups a day' to boost arm muscles.
The Sun
With arm muscles clenched and eyes rolling, they stormed to the finishing line and a reception fit for heroes.
Times, Sunday Times
A big arm reaches out and clears a space.
Times, Sunday Times
The test should be whether the bowler's elbow leads the wrist at any time after the arm reaches the vertical in the delivery swing.
Times, Sunday Times
No other country's cultural arm reaches out so far.
Times, Sunday Times
The opposite arm reaches farther forward and the elbow travels out to the side and then behind to make room for the trailing leg.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Only the longer arm reaches the surface.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The cabin does redeem itself with nice touches including two-tone leather sports seats and an iPod or mobile phone holder in the centre arm rest.
The Sun (2006)
Compared with the good old days way back in, er, 1998, the arm strength of the current crop has fallen by 26 per cent.
Times, Sunday Times
Technique, arm strength, everything failed me.
Times, Sunday Times
Whatever he lacks in arm strength, he makes up for with his brain and timing.
Globe and Mail
Reports suggested his arm strength was still under 50%.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
He's a rare combination of size and arm strength.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Indeed, such companies were seen as the arms dealers of the coming internet age, and could barely keep up with demand.
Times, Sunday Times
Rising through the ranks, he aims to become one of the world's most renowned arms dealers.
The Sun
Soon oil and gas companies, and perhaps airlines, will become pariahs in the way tobacco companies and arms dealers are.
Times,Sunday Times
There are many arms dealers in the world.
The Sun
There are numerous examples showing that arms dealers sell to all sides.
The Times Literary Supplement
It pledged to reinforce a widely ignored arms embargo.
Times,Sunday Times
There will be an arms embargo and an 'export ban on internal repression equipment'.
Times, Sunday Times
An arms embargo was imposed.
The Times Literary Supplement
Sanctions could include an arms embargo, monitoring of aircraft on the ground and measures aimed at individuals.
Times, Sunday Times
An arms embargo will remain in place.
Times, Sunday Times
It was a cue for home players to go berserk, arms flailing, players jumping on each other.
Times,Sunday Times
He landed slap-bang in the patch of yellow steaming snow he'd just created, arms flailing as he tried to get up.
Times, Sunday Times
It's probably safe to say that nobody's legs are twitching or arms flailing in response to the existential complexity of the song's subject matter.
Times, Sunday Times
Ignoring the pain, he fell for 4min 26sec with his arms flailing before his parachute opened.
Times, Sunday Times
Dripping in sweat, his arms flailing, he shouted that someone was coming to get him.
The Sun
She entered the court in a dark suit, her arms folded, before turning her back to the cameras and appearing to joke with her lawyers.
Times, Sunday Times
She would sit, arms folded, refusing to meet his gaze, muttering words of grim resentment.
Times, Sunday Times
During my sermons he would sit with arms folded and brow wrinkled.
Christianity Today
He said so with his arms folded and a pained expression on his face.
Times, Sunday Times
Arms folded and brows furrowed, they stare miserably out to sea beside dry-docked cruise ships and stationary fairground rides.
Times, Sunday Times
It has involved delicate diplomatic negotiations, international arms shipments - and an awful lot of sewing.
Times, Sunday Times
It details arms shipments to the groups vying for power.
Times, Sunday Times
The cutter investigated more than 1,500 vessels for infiltrators and enemy arms shipments.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
It refused to allow arms shipments and sent warships to try to stop shipments.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The delivery of arms shipments was complemented by continuous naval artillery barrages.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Warm sunlight glinted in glasses of sparkling water, sunglasses coped with the glare, the heat was hot on bare arms.
Times, Sunday Times
In my experience, most party get-ups offer a choice between bare arms, high hemlines and low frontage.
Times, Sunday Times
I am over 70, but like to be reasonably fashionable — without bare arms or knees.
Times, Sunday Times
With warm air in your face, the sun on your bare arms, it really was a lovely way to travel.
Times, Sunday Times
Leave your shirtdress open, wear a printed slip beneath and you can do modesty and bare arms.
Times, Sunday Times
Through its charitable arm, the club has been heavily involved in promoting cricket in Afghanistan and more recently Nepal, which judging from the frenzied crowds there, will be the game's next great success story.
Times,Sunday Times (2020)
Charities also feared that the change would be used as a smokescreen to hide cuts in health spending, with ministers reducing funds for organisations such as children's hospitals that have successful charitable arms.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These dictates that organisations with a charitable arm must consolidate their accounts rather than publish the two separately.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Insiders say the company's commercial arm has, at times, become explicit in trying to influence journalists.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A commercial trading arm was established to sell merchandise such as wrist bands and T-shirts to fund the charity as it grew and started to employ staff.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It was wonderful to join a firm that continued to be profitable during the recession and that had the breadth of career options that go with having residential and commercial arms.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
These ropes were passed over pulleys attached to a cross arm on a staff at the top of the building.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Access to the main building was originally through the celler from an entrance below the bishop's chapel which was located on the east side of the southern cross arm.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The left side of the cross arm, as seen from the back, contained a set of dipoles that were set to be sensitive in angle, while almost insensitive to elevation.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Win leans against the car, crosses his arms.
Times, Sunday Times
Cross arms over chest or put them behind your head.
The Sun
They spent seven years trying to extend the arm of the law to the deals that went down in their college dorm.
Times, Sunday Times
Her shoulders are rounded and, when she has to extend her arm, she just barely puts it out.
The Sun
Inhale then extend the arm straight back behind you.
The Sun
He might extend an arm and shout.
Times, Sunday Times
As do those footballers who clearly hold an opponent by pulling their shirt, or extend their arm to pull back a run.
The Sun
These large property investments are not part of the integrated finance arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was also a buoyant time for flotations, which helped the corporate finance arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You can buy a new car using dealers' own finance arms or banks and building societies.
The Sun (2012)
We had had an infrastructure investment arm with just three people.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yesterday the Government published its plans to ring-fence the retail and investment arms of the banks.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The latter is the social investment arm of the magazine and charity set up to aid homeless people.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are offered by stockbrokers and the wealth management arms of high street banks.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In his short tenure, he strongly resisted pressure to split up the group's three legs - the badly damaged investment bank, the asset management arm and the core wealth management business.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Since a restructuring seven years ago the group has opened offices in Tokyo, Shanghai, Madrid and Milan and it has also built up a sizeable fund management arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
People are always criticising her — whether it's her muscular arms or religious views, everyone always has an opinion.
The Sun
Villagers crowd the riverbank, and we are plucked from the boats by dozens of muscular arms.
Times, Sunday Times
Cool mossy boughs twist around and above us like muscular arms.
Times, Sunday Times
Her shaven head and strikingly thin yet muscular arms gave her the look of a living sculpture.
Times, Sunday Times
He has broad shoulders, a deep chest, and long, muscular arms.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Traditional houses have invested time and money in developing their research arms and forming relationships with hedge funds.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Aegis, the media buyer, said that it expected to outgrow the overall advertising market this year, helped by a strong performance from its market research arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The company, the MoD's former research arm, reported first-half profits down 10 per cent at 72.6 million and said it was emphasising sales to private clients, such as oil and gas majors, as defence budgets contract around the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It raises the prospect of the research arm falling into the hands of creditors if the business, which burnt through €1 billion of cash in nine months this year, continues to falter.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A machine with a robotic arm that can repair potholes in a flash is being tested in England for the first time.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
A machine that can repair potholes in just two minutes with a robotic arm is undergoing its first tests.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The alarmed, sealed box houses a robotic arm holding what looks like a can of baked beans.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The machine's robotic arm extends from the cab over the pothole and fills it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Imagine a robotic arm that today needs to be oiled and checked twice as often as two years ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Even my biceps have grown stronger from the steady arm swing of jogging.
Times,Sunday Times
The researchers found other examples of a reduced arm swing related to weaponry training, including in cowboys of the wild west.
Times, Sunday Times
Pushing a stroller impedes your natural arm swing, which makes it harder work for your legs.
Times, Sunday Times
You kick, or you swing an arm then you are going to pay for that.
Times, Sunday Times
Ridge-hand strikes commonly are delivered with a hooking motion, or with a straight arm swing.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
And his dedication in the weight room filled out his frame and gave him a powerful throwing arm.
Times, Sunday Times
He did indeed have the best paper plane in the world, but he recognized that he didn't have the best throwing arm.
Christianity Today
Repeat 6-10 times, alternating the throwing arm.
Times, Sunday Times
Although it was clear from an early age that she possessed a natural throwing arm, she was allowed to ride the broad rainbow of sport.
Times, Sunday Times
Choked by fumes, bruised by fragments of shrapnel, hardly able to lift his throwing arm for fatigue - he endured till the position was safe.
Times, Sunday Times
Translations:
Chinese: 臂
Japanese: 腕
- grin spreads
- grin widely
- grip
- gripe
- grip firmly
- griping
- griping
- gripping
- gripping drama
- gripping episode
- gripping plot
- grip strength
- grip the handle
- grip the nation
- grip the wheel
- grip tightly
- grisly
- grisly death
- grist
- grist for the mill
- grist for the mill
- gristle
- grist to the mill
- grit
- gritted teeth