Select the most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank.
This gun should be handled with care and ____________.

The correct option is kept at arm’s length.

Explanation:

The idiom "keep at arm's length" means to maintain a distance, avoid being too close, or handle something with caution and care.

In the given sentence, "This gun should be handled with care and kept at arm’s length," the idiom perfectly fits the context of dealing with a dangerous item like a gun safely and cautiously.

Meanings of other options:

• mince the matters: To moderate or restrain one's language for the sake of politeness (irrelevant to handling a physical object).

• nip in the bud: To suppress or destroy something at an early stage.

• shot for safety: Not a standard English idiom.