straight-arm

[ streyt-ahrm ]

verb (used with object)

1. Football. to push (a potential tackler) away by holding the arm out straight; stiff-arm.
2. to force, push, or fend off by or as if by holding out a stiff arm against obstacles:

   He straight-armed his way into the middle of the crowded room.

noun

1. Football. an act or instance of straight-arming.

straight-arm

adjective

1. rugby (of a tackle) performed with the arm fully extended

verb

1. tr to ward off (an opponent) with the arm outstretched

Word History and Origins

Origin of straight-arm¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

By-and-by these exercises will come as easy as was the straight-arm work.

From Project Gutenberg

Another clerk reached out and Rick gave him a straight arm that cleared the way long enough for a jump to the outside.

From Project Gutenberg

He lunged forward as he spoke, shooting a straight-arm blow for Fyfe's face.

From Project Gutenberg

He rushed and drove a straight-arm jab, which had it reached would have given him the purse.

From Project Gutenberg

After that, in the general way he has of handling himself, from falling on the ball to dodging and straight arm.

From Project Gutenberg