Few and far between

Definitions

• rare
  To describe something that is not common or frequent

• scarce
  To convey the idea that something is in short supply or hard to find

• widely spaced
  To describe things that are spread out or separated by large distances

• not close together
  To indicate that things are not clustered or grouped together

Examples of Few and far between

• The opportunities for a promotion in this company are few and far between.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is rare or infrequent. In this example, it means that promotions in this company are not common and occur only occasionally.

• I meet my old friends few and far between these days.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is not encountered frequently. In this example, it means that the user does not come across their old friends very often.

• The success stories of small businesses are few and far between.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is not common or widespread. In this example, it means that there are not many examples of successful small businesses.

• The feedback I receive from my clients is few and far between.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is not frequent or regular. In this example, it means that the user does not receive feedback from their clients very often.

• The signs of spring are few and far between this year.

  This idiom is used to describe something that is not abundant or plentiful. In this example, it means that the signs of spring are not very evident this year.

Conclusion

The idiom "few and far between" is used to describe things that are not common, scarce, or widely spaced. It can also convey the idea that things are not close together or grouped in a cluster.

This phrase is often used to express disappointment or frustration when something is not as readily available or frequent as one would like. It can also be used to emphasize the rarity of something.

This idiom is commonly used in both informal and formal contexts, and can be applied to a wide range of situations, from describing the frequency of an event or occurrence to the physical distance between objects or people.

Origin of "Few and far between"

The origin of the idiom "few and far between" can be traced back to the mid-1600s, when it was first used in its current form. However, its roots can be traced back even further to the Latin phrase "paucis et interdum" which means "few and sometimes."

The phrase was likely popularized in the English language through the works of playwright and poet William Shakespeare, who used it in his play "The Comedy of Errors" in 1594. However, it is believed that the phrase may have originated as a translation of an even older Greek proverb.

Over time, the meaning of the phrase has evolved to its current usage, and it has become a common idiom in the English language. Its clear and concise nature has made it a popular phrase for expressing rarity and scarcity in various contexts.