long arm

American  

noun

1. a long pole fitted with any of various devices, as a hook or clamp, for performing tasks otherwise out of reach.

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long arm British  

noun

1. power, esp far-reaching power

   the long arm of the law

2. to reach out for something, as from a sitting position

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Example Sentences

But even here, the long arm of the crisis is visible, with the TV reception periodically freezing, triggering loud groans from supporters clad in the yellow Brazilian jerseys of stars Vinicius Junior, Neymar and others.

From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026

He was impressed that Draper, working his way back to full sharpness after a long arm injury lay-off, managed to reach the last eight in Indian Wells.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

The nation’s multilayered historical background has been variously stamped by a basic Arabic heritage, ineradicable remnants of protracted Ottoman Turkish rule and the long arm of the British colonial empire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

Opponents of Putin increasingly fear the long arm of Moscow’s security services, including in countries they once thought were safe.

From Seattle Times • May 2, 2024

The voice had a long arm, its hand shaking a paper cup.

From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia