stone’s throw
stone’s throw
(at) a stone’s throw away
Meaning
- a short distance
- very near
- very close to something
Example Sentences
- His workplace is a stone’s throw away from his home.
- The hotel we stayed in was a stone’s throw away from the beach.
- Why don’t you come visit my place? I live a stone’s throw away from here.
- The shopping mall was located within a stone’s throw of our house.
- I am searching for a house and I want it to be a stone’s throw away from the river.
- We visit each other often; our houses are a stone’s throw apart.
- The city center is a stone’s throw away from here.
- In our city, the airport and railway station are at a stone’s throw from each other.
Origin
This phrase was seen in the late 1500s, but was not used much until 1712, when John Arbuthnot used it in The History of John Bull. Since then there have been many citations of the phrase.
Some of our users search for this idiom as “at stones throw” on our website, a typo with the same meaning.
Share your opinions2 Opinions
Regarding the origin, I read the Bible in Luke chapter 22 verse 41, and I noted most translations have this phrase “stone’s throw” or “stone’s cast”. Perhaps, you may wish to explore further on the use of “stone’s throw”, albeit the original language of the New Testament was in Greek.
‒ Robert August 3, 2021
A stone’s throw distance is mentioned in the bible. So it’s an old idiom.
At that time stoning to death was a common capital punishment. Those throwing stones have to keep a certain distance so that the one on the other side should not get stoned. Moreover, stoning was enjoyed by people so if the prey dies easily, there is no fun.
Probably one can have some reference from the old Greek or roman literature.
‒ Kurian January 10, 2021