- Meaning
- This idiom indicates a short distance, something very close or easily reachable, as if one could throw a stone and hit it. It’s used to describe proximity in physical or metaphorical terms, often emphasizing convenience or nearness, and carries a casual, approachable tone.
- Origin
- The phrase dates to medieval England, rooted in the literal act of throwing stones, a common measure of short distances in rural life. An early use appears in John Wycliffe’s 1382 Bible translation, describing a distance ‘as a stoonus cast.’ By the 16th century, it was a standard English expression, with Shakespeare using similar imagery in *Henry VI, Part 3* (1591). Its persistence reflects its simplicity and relatability, as stone-throwing was a universal activity.
- Variants
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- Stone’s throw
- Within a stone’s throw
- Examples
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- The café is just a stone’s throw from my house, so I walk there every morning.
- Her new apartment is a stone’s throw from the beach, perfect for sunset strolls.
- The office is within a stone’s throw of the train station, making the commute easy.
- Success was a stone’s throw away, but they gave up too soon.
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