long arm of the law

long arm of the law meaning

• the extensive influence of the authorities
• the vast strength of the law enforcement and legal system
• the influence and effectiveness of law enforcing institutions

Example Sentences

1. It is not easy for criminals to escape the long arm of the law in a developed country like United Kingdom.
2. The criminal had been hiding out for years, but the long arm of the law finally caught up with him and now he is in prison.
3. Be careful of committing fraud my friend! The long arm of the law will catch up with you some day or the other.
4. Was he thinking that the long arm of the law would not be able to catch him if he fled to another country?
5. I think he's realized by now that there's no escaping the long arm of the law.
6. It is not easy to escape the long arm of the law if you have committed a crime.
7. It is useless trying to escape from the authorities after you have committed a crime. The long arm of the law will catch you sooner or later.
8. After years of having conned people to give their money to him, the long arm of the law finally caught up with him.

Origin

The phrase originated in a different form, as “Kings have long arms” in 1539. The current version has been in use since 1908.