maintain a lukewarm relationship; keep someone at arm's length
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to seem close yet remain distant; to keep someone at arm's length; ambiguous attitude or relationship
literaryOften describes romantic relationships, diplomatic relations, or professional interactions where one party maintains emotional or physical distance. Can carry a slightly negative connotation of ambiguity or insincerity.
Tā他
men们
zhī之
jiān间
de的
guān关
xì系
ruò若
jí即
ruò若
lí离
，
ràng让
rén人
zhuō捉
mō摸
bù不
tòu透
。
Their relationship is hot and cold, leaving people unable to figure it out.
Tā他
duì对
zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
de的
tài态
dù度
ruò若
jí即
ruò若
lí离
，
jì既
bù不
míng明
què确
zhī支
chí持
，
yě也
bù不
gōng公
kāi开
fǎn反
duì对
。
His attitude toward this matter is lukewarm—neither explicitly supporting it nor openly opposing it.
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Zhè这
wèi位
míng明
xīng星
zǒng总
shì是
yǔ与
méi媒
tǐ体
bǎo保
chí持
ruò若
jí即
ruò若
lí离
de的
guān关
xì系
。
This celebrity always maintains an arm's-length relationship with the media.