the long arm of the law
noun phrase
: the ability of the police to find and catch people who commit crimes
The long arm of the law finally caught up with him 30 years later.
Examples of the long arm of the law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the long arm of the law of Orange County is coming for you and there is not a country on earth that is capable of shielding you from our unwavering pursuit of justice.
—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
During his junior year in 2010, however, Green was introduced to the long arm of the law by way of the NCAA's compliance office.
—
Austin Perry Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Newman and Redford star as Butch and Sundance, respectively, a pair of outlaws on the run from the long arm of the law in the 1890s.
—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
During his junior year in 2010, however, Green was introduced to the long arm of the law by way of the NCAA's compliance office.
—
Austin Perry Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Newman and Redford star as Butch and Sundance, respectively, a pair of outlaws on the run from the long arm of the law in the 1890s.
—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“The long arm of the law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20long%20arm%20of%20the%20law. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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