at a distance

Meaning

1. Editorial80% of films

   to avoid closeness or intimacy with someone; to stay emotionally or socially detached

   I've pushed people away, kept them at a distance

2. Oxford20% of films

   from a place or time that is not near; from far away

   In a way. At a distance.

In the movies · 11

• I've pushed people away, kept them at a distanceThor: Love and Thunder2022
• Do you knowingly keep me and Joseph at a distance?Unbreakable2000
• "He spotted her from a distance, and Harriet leapt to mind.Husbands and Wives1992
• Keep everything at a distance.The Lake House2006
• It's at a distance of one furlong.Lucky Number Slevin2006
• In a way. At a distance.Videodrome1983
• at a distance from the moon of 56 nautical miles.Apollo 131995
• Keep that distance keep that distanceSouthpaw2015

Learn it in full scenes

• Husbands and Wives1992
  • Jack and Sally Announce a Split
  • Gabe and Judy's Late-Night Talk
  • Sally Calls Jack During a Date

From the same entry

• go the distance
• in the distance
• keep at a distance
• keep your distance
• within shouting distance
• within spitting distance
• within striking distance

More idioms

• a high profile
• from top to bottom
• have a way with
• put in a word for
• take breath away
• with your eyes shut
• at best
• in short
• keep your distance
• see fit
• as it happens
• a matter of life and death