PhrasesHub

Stone's throw

    Definitions

      • close distance
        Referring to a location that is very near, a short distance away

      • relative distance
        Indicating a distance that is not far, but not extremely close either

    Examples of Stone's throw

    • The beach was just a stone's throw away from my hotel room.

      This means that the beach was very close to the hotel, so near that you could practically throw a stone and hit it.

    • There's a park with a playground for kids right behind my house, it's just a stone's throw away.

      This means that the park is extremely close to the speaker's house, so near that you could throw a stone and reach it.

    • My best friend's house is only a stone's throw away from my school.

      This means that my friend's house is very close to my school, so near that you could almost throw a stone and hit my friend's house from my school's premises.

    • The store where I work is just around the corner, it's a stone's throw away from my apartment.

      This means that the store where the speaker works is very close to the speaker's apartment, so near that you could almost throw a stone and hit the store from the apartment's building.

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

      This means that the beach is very close to the hotel. The phrase "a stone's throw" refers to the distance someone could throw a stone, which implies a very short distance.

    • The coffee shop is only a stone's throw from my apartment.

      In this example, "a stone's throw" is used to describe the short distance between the coffee shop and the speaker's apartment. The distance is so close that the speaker could easily throw a stone between the two locations.

    • Our house used to be a stone's throw from the city center, but now it's a bit further away.

      Here, the speaker is indicating that their house was once extremely close to the city center, but due to a change in circumstances, it is now farther away.

    • The park is a stone's throw from where we're sitting.

      In this final example, the speaker is using "a stone's throw" to describe the distance between the park and their current location. The phrase emphasizes how close the park is, allowing the listener to imagine the distance as being extremely short. Overall, "Stone's throw" is a useful idiom that can help convey a sense of proximity, making it a valuable addition to any speaker's vocabulary.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "stone's throw" is used to describe a location that is very close or a short distance away. It can also be used to indicate a distance that is not far, but not extremely close either. It is often used to describe the proximity of one place to another, emphasizing the shortness of the distance.

    Origin of "Stone's throw"

    The origin of the idiom "stone's throw" can be traced back to the literal meaning of the words. A stone's throw is the distance that a person can throw a stone, which is not very far. Over time, the phrase has been used figuratively to describe a short distance, and it has become a common idiom in the English language. The idiom has been used in literature and everyday speech for centuries, and its meaning has remained consistent over time.

    Examples of the idiom can be found in writings from various time periods, illustrating its enduring popularity and usage. The idiom's simple and straightforward origin has contributed to its widespread use and understanding.