spread your arms

USAGE SUMMARY

'spread your arms' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an instruction (e.g. Spread your arms wide open) or as a figure of speech to tell someone to accept something (e.g. Spread your arms and embrace this new opportunity). For example: "Spread your arms and welcome the new day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Spread your arms and place your hands against the wall.

The New Yorker

As soon as the rope breaks, you spread your arms and begin to fly.

The New York Times

Open up your face, wide — ahhhhh — spread your arms, open it up, mouths wide.

The New Yorker

("Spread your arms and legs far apart and try to float on your back").

The New York Times

"Spread your arms out?" Crawford tried summoning Sunny with open arms: "Good girl!" They were out of time; the following week, they would move to the Palace.

The New Yorker

If you were then to spread your arms out as far as possible, that would be the rest of the world.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

You don't have to do the corny thing where you pretend to yawn and then spread your arm over her shoulder.

WikiHow

When you're snuggling while you're sitting up, don't spread your arm out in front of your girl's extended arm, so her arm is caught behind you and you've cut off her circulation.

WikiHow

If you want time to get ready or add some style into your kip up, elbow the ground and then spread your arm span with a force (this step is optional).

WikiHow

Research from Harvard and Columbia Business Schools shows that holding your body in expansive "high power" poses (standing tall with shoulders pulled back, widening your stance, spreading your arms to expand into space) raises testosterone (the hormone linked to power and self-confidence) and lowers the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Forbes

Aim for small, controlled gestures to indicate leadership and confidence, and open gestures -- like spreading your arms apart or showing the palms of your hands -- to communicate that you have nothing to hide. 3. Watching the clock while talking to someone is a clear sign of disrespect, impatience, and inflated ego.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "spread your arms", be clear about the purpose. Is it for balance, a stretch, or to show openness?

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear whether "spread your arms" is meant literally or figuratively. Vague context can lead to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread your arms" primarily functions as an imperative, directing someone to perform a specific action. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in both literal contexts (physical actions, exercises) and figurative senses (embracing opportunities).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

29%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spread your arms" is a versatile imperative, frequently used to instruct someone to extend their arms. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for both literal and figurative contexts. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various settings, from providing exercise instructions to encouraging openness and acceptance. While found commonly in WikiHow and News & Media sources, it also appears in scientific and business-related materials. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly conveys the intended meaning, whether for physical action or metaphorical embrace.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend your arms

Replaces "spread" with "extend", suggesting a more deliberate and controlled action.

outstretch your arms

Substitutes "spread" with "outstretch", implying a reaching motion.

open your arms wide

Adds "wide" to emphasize the extent of the arm's extension and welcome expression.

reach out with your arms

Focuses on the act of reaching, implying a desire to connect or embrace.

hold your arms out

Emphasizes maintaining the arms in an extended position.

stretch out your arms

Highlights the act of stretching the arms, often for exercise or relief.

flail your arms

Implies a wild, uncontrolled spreading of the arms, often in panic or distress.

wing your arms

Implies imitating bird wing motion.

assume a T-pose

Replacing the instruction with an action. This phrase implies a specific posture where the arms form a 'T' shape with the body.

make like an airplane

This idiom refers to pretending to be an airplane, which would involve spreading one's arms.

FAQs

How can I use "spread your arms" in a sentence?

You can use "spread your arms" as an instruction, for example, "Spread your arms for balance while walking on the beam." It can also be used figuratively, such as "Spread your arms and welcome new opportunities".

What is an alternative to "spread your arms"?

Alternatives to "spread your arms" include "extend your arms", "outstretch your arms" or "reach out with your arms", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to say "spread your arms"?

It's appropriate to say "spread your arms" when giving instructions for physical actions like exercises, balancing, or expressing openness and welcome.

What does it mean to "spread your arms" figuratively?

Figuratively, to "spread your arms" can mean to embrace or welcome something new, whether it's an opportunity, an idea, or a person. It suggests openness and acceptance.