the long arm of the law


the long arm of the law

The broad, far-reaching power or influence of the police or legal system. He may have eluded us for now, but he won't escape the long arm of the law for long. The long arm of the law is finally wrapping its fingers around these corrupt politicians.See also: arm, law, long, of

long arm of the law

Fig. the police; the law. The long arm of the law is going to tap you on the shoulder some day, Lefty. The long arm of the law finally caught up with Gert.See also: arm, law, long, of

long arm of the law, the

The far-reaching power of the authorities. For example, You'll never get away with leaving work early; the long arm of the law is bound to catch you . This expression began as Kings have long arms (or hands) and was listed as a proverb in 1539. The current version, now often used lightly, was first recorded in 1908. See also: arm, long, of

the long arm of the law

People use the long arm of the law to describe the power of the police and the legal system to find and punish criminals. He was determined that Laing would not escape the long arm of the law and drove him directly to a police station.See also: arm, law, long, of

the long (or strong) arm of the law

the police seen as a far-reaching or intimidating power.See also: arm, law, long, of

the long arm of the ˈlaw

the ability of the police and the legal system to find criminals and punish them: You have to be a very clever criminal to escape the long arm of the law.See also: arm, law, long, of

long arm of the law

n. the police; the law. (see also arm.) The long arm of the law is going to tap you on the shoulder some day, Lefty. See also: arm, law, long, of