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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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 American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

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
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the long (or strong) arm of the law

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

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
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • long arm of the law
  • long arm of the law, the
  • long arm
  • the long arm of coincidence
  • governments have long arms
  • kings have long arms
  • kings have long hands
  • turn of fate
  • twist of fate
  • make good your escape
References in periodicals archive
The long arm of the law gestures at this Austin 1800 as Liverpool traffic grinds down St John's Lane from Lime Street to the Birkenhead Tunnel, in October 1965.
LOOKING BACK
AT first glance it looks like the long arm of the law is removing flags, but appearances can be deceptive.
Ulster lorry gets snagged on flags; EXCLUSIVE
Both are in trouble with the police (Dylan for robbing a petrol station, Connor for stealing from Bounce), and have decided to fake their own deaths to escape from the long arm of the law.
Fishes out of water; NEIGHBOURS TUESDAY, BBC1,5.35pm
Enter the long arm of the law. The Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan is in the stands and lends his carriage (not one of those grey landrovers incidentally) to whisk Andy off to the maternity unit.
Eamonn Holmes' sports column: Andy's Christmas fairytale came true
'The long arm of the law finally caught up with him,' Mondigo told the Inquirer in a text message.
Ex-Cebu town mayor nabbed for guns, drug paraphernalia
Summary: DUBAI -- The long arm of the law has finally caught up with four Pakistani men who allegedly killed a friend five years ago and buried him on the Oman border.
3 nabbed over 2007 murder of friend
NEW-born ducklings couldn't evade the long arm of the law.
Indian Runners duck out
THE long arm of the law is failing to reach the most dangerous organised crime gangs, Britain's most senior police officer has warned.
Failure warning; BRITAIN TODAY: POLICE
Plus, don't miss Paul Delplanque's Remember When page on a Tuesday and his blog dedicated entirely to nostalgic memories of Teesside at www.gazettelive.co.uk/rememberwhen BILLINGHAM LIFESAVERS: The long arm of the law brought a glittering prize to top Billingham lifesavers in November 1987.
Remember When
THE mid-90s saw major steps forward in the use of DNA technology as a crime-fighting tool helping police to bring to justice killers who had managed to evade the long arm of the law.
DNA breakthrough re-opens casebooks
Despite an early lead from Year 6 teacher Rob Harker, the teachers were unable to hold off the long arm of the law, with the police team netting a 2-1 victory in the final minute of play.
School staff in sporting challenge
Courbis knew the long arm of the law would be reaching out for him after losing his appeal against a jail sentence.
Rolland's radio daze; WORLD OF FOOTBALL
EVERYONE is obsessed with Jack's seemingly miraculous return from the dead, and it isn't long before the long arm of the law asks some probing questions.
HOLLYOAKS; SOAP
TODDLERS at a Coventry nursery felt the long arm of the law when they had a visit from their local beat bobbies.
Toddlers meet the police
The long arm of the law will be reaching out to help fundraisers get their own back on bosses who are prepared to be jailed and bailed.
thrive: Get locked up for a good cause