What Does “The Long Arm of the Law” Mean? (よく使う英語慣用語句) -N0.563-

What Does “The Long Arm of the Law” Mean?（よく使う英語慣用表現）

Introduction

Have you ever heard a story where someone tried to escape justice but was eventually caught? In English, we often say they were caught by “the long arm of the law.”

1. What Does “The Long Arm of the Law” Mean?

“The long arm of the law” refers to the power and reach of the police or legal system. It suggests that the law can reach people no matter how far they run or how long it takes.

2. When to Use It

Use this idiom when talking about criminals being caught or justice being enforced, even after a long time or from far away.

Example:
A: He thought he could hide overseas forever.
B: But the long arm of the law finally caught up with him.

3. 日本語の同じような表現

日本語では、「司直の手」「法の裁き」「捜査の手が及ぶ」といった表現が近いです。
逃げ続けても、最終的には法律が裁くという意味合いで使われます。

Conclusion

When justice reaches someone despite time or distance, you can say it was “the long arm of the law.” It’s a dramatic idiom often used in news stories and crime-related contexts.

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