A stone's throw

Definitions

• short distance
  Referring to a distance that is very close or nearby; often used to emphasize how close something is

• insignificant distance
  Used to describe a distance that is very small or unimportant in the grand scheme of things; often used to dismiss something as not being worthy of attention or effort

Examples of A stone's throw

• The beach is just a stone's throw away from here.

  This idiom is used to describe a very short distance between two places. It implies that the distance is so short that you could throw a stone and hit the destination. In this example, the speaker is saying that the beach is extremely close to their current location.

• The supermarket is a stone's throw from my house.

  This example is similar to the first, but the speaker is describing a different location. They are saying that the supermarket is very close to their house, so close that they could easily throw a stone and hit it.

• The park is a stone's throw away from the city center.

  In this example, the speaker is describing the distance between the park and the city center. They are implying that the distance is very short and that it would be easy to travel between the two locations.

• The car accident happened just a stone's throw from my office.

  This example is using the idiom to describe the location of a recent car accident. The speaker is saying that the accident happened very close to their office, so close that they could easily throw a stone and hit the location.

• The museum is a stone's throw from the train station.

  In this example, the speaker is describing the distance between the museum and the train station. They are implying that the distance is very short and that it would be easy to travel between the two locations.Overall, the idiom "a stone's throw" is used to describe very short distances between two places. It implies that the distance is so short that you could easily throw a stone and hit the destination. This idiom is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the proximity of different locations.

Conclusion

The idiom "a stone's throw" is commonly used to describe a distance that is very close or nearby. It can also be used to emphasize how insignificant or unimportant a distance may be. This idiom is often used to convey a sense of familiarity or intimacy with a certain location or person.

In the first meaning, "a stone's throw" is used to refer to a distance that is very close, usually within walking distance. This can be used to describe a location that is nearby, such as a store or a friend's house. It can also be used to describe a person who lives close by, emphasizing the proximity between them. This meaning is often used to convey a sense of convenience or accessibility.

In the second meaning, "a stone's throw" is used to describe a distance that is insignificant or unimportant. This can be used to dismiss something as not worthy of attention or effort. For example, if someone is complaining about a small task, someone might say "it's just a stone's throw away, why are you making such a fuss?" This meaning is often used to convey a sense of dismissal or disregard for something.

Origin of "A stone's throw"

The origin of the idiom "a stone's throw" is believed to come from medieval times when people used to use stones as a form of measurement. It was common for people to measure distances by throwing a stone and judging the distance based on where it landed. This measurement technique was used for short distances, thus giving rise to the phrase "a stone's throw".

The phrase became popular in England in the 16th century and has since been used in various forms of literature and media. It is now a commonly used idiom in the English language, often used in everyday conversations. Its origin as a measurement technique may have evolved over time, but the idiom still carries the same meaning of a short distance or an insignificant amount.