a stone’s throw
Meaning
A very short distance away; nearby.
Origin
From the literal idea of how far you can throw a stone—used as a common measure of short distance in everyday speech for centuries.
Notes
Common, informal-neutral way to emphasize that something is very close. It’s approximate, not a precise measurement.
Examples
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The train station is a stone's throw from my apartment, so I usually walk.
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We found a quiet cafe a stone's throw away from the busy main street.
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Her parents live a stone's throw from the school, which makes pickups easy.
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The hotel is a stone's throw from the beach, but it stays surprisingly quiet at night.
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There’s a great hiking trail a stone's throw from downtown if you want a quick escape.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used with forms like “within a stone’s throw (of) …” or “(just) a stone’s throw from …”. Fixed phrase; keep the article “a” and singular “stone’s”.
Synonyms
- nearby
- close by
- a short distance away
- just around the corner
Antonyms
- a long way away
- miles away
- far away