arm in arm

alternative arm-in-arm

1. not comparableWith arms linked together; with arms around each other's shoulder or waist. (of two or more people)

   The two friends walked along arm in arm.

   3 more examples

   Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us, That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm?

   1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]

   […] Laurie came running down stairs, and brought up with a start of surprise at the sight of Jo arm in arm with his redoubtable grandfather.

   1868–1869, Louisa M[ay] Alcott, Little Women: […], (please specify |part=1 or 2), Boston, Mass.: Roberts Brothers, →OCLC, pages 82-83

   Foy had prepped his troops for a boisterous chorus of “We Shall Overcome.” They were joined together arm-in-arm, swaying and humming slowly to the beat.

   2015, Paul Beatty, chapter 23, in The Sellout, New York: Macmillan

   Synonyms: arm in crook

2. figurativelynot comparableIn collusion, in concert (with someone).

   ‘Frenchmen. Really, I mean to say, Stevens, Frenchmen. […] And to think we have to be seen by the world to be arm in arm with them. One wishes for a good bath at the mere reminder.’

   1989, Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day, London: Faber and Faber, pages 75–76