C2idiominformalpoliticsIELTS-friendly
the long arm of the law
USUK
the power of the police and courts to find and punish criminals
Often humorous, often with 'catch up with'. Vietnamese has a similar saying: 'lưới trời lồng lộng'.
In context
He fled abroad, but the long arm of the law caught up with him in the end.
You can't escape the long arm of the law forever.
More idioms about politics
- a double standarda rule applied more strictly to one group than to another
- a grey areaa situation where the rules are unclear, so nobody is sure what is allowed
- a hidden agendaa secret reason or plan behind what someone says or does
- a hot potatoa difficult issue that people disagree about and nobody wants to deal with
- a lame ducka politician or government with little real power, often near the end of a term in office