1. **State the problem:** Solve the arithmetic expression $2 - 14$. 2. **Recall the rule:** Subtraction means taking away the second number from the first. 3. **Perform the subtraction:** $$2 - 14 = -12$$ 4. **Interpretation:** Since 14 is larger than 2, subtracting 14 from 2 results in a negative number, $-12$. **Final answer:** $-12$