第一,迷你对话
A: Peter and you should remain at arm’s length.
Peter应该和你保持距离。
B: I don’t know what you mean. Anything wrong?
我不明白你的意思,有什么不对劲吗?
A: You are single, but he has had a family. You should avoid gossip.
你是单身,他是有家庭的人,你要避免谣言。
第二,地道表达
remain one’s arm length
1. 解词释义
remain one’s length的字面意思是“保持一个手臂的距离”,比喻为:和某人的来往保持一定距离,避免过于亲密。
2. 拓展范例
e.g. James rarely speak to his wife, he keeps her at arm's length.
詹姆斯难得对妻子讲话,他对她若即若离。
e.g. I keep him at arm's length.
我和他保持一定的距离。