Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
arms wide open
English answer:
generous hospitality, and embracing welcome
Added to glossary by
Fuad Yahya
Mar 28, 2003 17:57
21 yrs ago
6 viewers *
English term
arms wide open
English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Is there any significant difference btw "arms wide open" and "arms open wide"?
Which on do you perceive as more "English" or simply you think is more used?
Thanks!
Which on do you perceive as more "English" or simply you think is more used?
Thanks!
Responses
| 5 +9 | arms wide open |
Fuad Yahya
|
| 5 | with open arms |
Belinda Adams
|
| 4 | pretty much interchangeable |
jerrie
|
Change log
Dec 24, 2005 20:01: Fuad Yahya changed "Field" from "Other" to "Social Sciences"
Feb 14, 2006 03:10: Fuad Yahya changed "Field" from "Social Sciences" to "Art/Literary" , "Field (specific)" from "(none)" to "Idioms / Maxims / Sayings"
Feb 14, 2006 03:10: Fuad Yahya changed "Level" from "Non-PRO" to "PRO"
Responses
+9
2 mins
Selected
arms wide open
. . . usually in the expression "with arms wide open," in the sense of generous hospitality.
I have heard the other expression used when the intent is literal, as when giving instructions to someone, as in "open your arms wide."
Fuad
I have heard the other expression used when the intent is literal, as when giving instructions to someone, as in "open your arms wide."
Fuad
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "thanks!!!"
8 mins
Belinda Adams
Native in English
&
English
Financial Controller and translator
Native in: English 
Works in: Spanish to English, English, Catalan to English
with open arms
If you want to use it to mean a friendly welcome, I would use "with open arms"
1 hr
pretty much interchangeable
If someone is coming towards you it could be with:
arms open wide
wide open arms
In this case I prefer arms open wide
If someone is welcoming you:
with wide open arms
with arms open wide
In this case I prefer 'wide open arms'
You could embrace the world with:
wide open arms
arms open wide
Google UK gives 'arms wide open' more hits as an expression than 'arms open wide'.
hth
arms open wide
wide open arms
In this case I prefer arms open wide
If someone is welcoming you:
with wide open arms
with arms open wide
In this case I prefer 'wide open arms'
You could embrace the world with:
wide open arms
arms open wide
Google UK gives 'arms wide open' more hits as an expression than 'arms open wide'.
hth
Something went wrong...