What is an arm?

An arm is the upper limb on the body between the hand and the shoulder. The plural is ‘arms’.

Arm idioms list

Let’s look at some popular body idioms that contain the body part ‘arm’.

  • arm in arm
    meaning – two or more people with linked arms
    example – Oscar and his new girlfriend were spotted walking around arm in arm.
  • ​cost an arm and a leg
    meaning – be very expensive
    example – We won’t be going to that Italian again. It costs an arm and a leg, and the menu is basic.
  • give one’s right arm
    meaning – you would do anything to do/get something
    example – Lucy would give her right arm to meet One Direction.
  • keep at arm’s length
    meaning – avoid being too close or friendly with someone/something
    example – There is something not quite right about Jeffrey, I’m going to keep him at arm’s length.
  • the long arm of the law
    meaning – the power of the police/justice system
    example – After 7 years on the run, the long arm of the law finally caught up with him.
  • twist someone’s arm
    meaning – persuade someone to do something they are reluctant to do
    example – Please come out for a drink, I’ll keep twisting your arm until you do.
  • up in arms
    meaning – be angry and strongly protest about something
    example – The citizens were up in arms about the decision to raise taxes by 25%.
  • with open arms
    meaning – in a very warm, kind and friendly way
    example – We greeted our new son-in-law with open arms.

Arm idioms list with pictures

Idioms can be hard to grasp, so here is the list of arm idioms and phrases with some picture examples.

idiomatic expressions with body parts - arm phrases
arm phrases list - arm in arm
arm idioms and phrases - cost an arm and a leg meaning
arm phrases - give one's right arm
arm idioms - keep at arm’s length meaning
arm idioms list - the long arm of the law meaning
arm idioms - twist someone’s arm meaning
arm idioms and expressions - up in arms meaning
arm idioms and expressions- with open arms

body part idiom with ‘arm’ quiz

Test yourself and see what you’ve learnt from this page. The answers are at the bottom of the picture.

body part idioms quiz
body part idioms quiz
body part idioms quiz
body part idioms quiz
body part idioms quiz

You can download a table of ‘arm’ idioms and expressions below.

If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more body idioms by clicking on the links below.