straight-arm

American  

[streyt-ahrm] / ˈstreɪtˌɑrm /

verb (used with object)

1. Football. to push (a potential tackler) away by holding the arm out straight; stiff-arm.

2. to force, push, or fend off by or as if by holding out a stiff arm against obstacles.

   He straight-armed his way into the middle of the crowded room.

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noun

1. Football. an act or instance of straight-arming.

straight-arm British  

adjective

1. rugby (of a tackle) performed with the arm fully extended

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verb

1. (tr) to ward off (an opponent) with the arm outstretched

Etymology

Origin of straight-arm

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

"I’m a member of the straight-arm club. … I just pretend that you have a cold and I have a cold. Join the straight-arm club with me."

From Fox News • Apr. 2, 2019

"I'm a member of the straight-arm club," she said, extending a stiff arm out to demonstrate.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2019

“He is someone who gives hope that things can change,” said Levi Sanders, who has his father’s bounding walk and straight-arm lean into the lectern, before introducing the candidate in Wolfeboro, N.H., in January.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2016

He offered a distinctly secular straight-arm gesture to those he feels have been less than sympathetic during a trying period of form.

From The Guardian • Sep. 27, 2010

Looking Craig frankly in the eye, she extended her hand in that same cordial straight-arm shake with which she had first greeted us, and added, "But not the memory of this fight we have won."

From The Ear in the Wall by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)