a distant pipe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant pipe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a pipe that is far away, often in a metaphorical or poetic context. Example: "As I walked through the quiet forest, I could hear the faint sound of a distant pipe playing a melancholic tune."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A distant pipe dripped steadily.

The New York Times

I'll turn 35 this year and, like millions of people who also see the property ladder as a distant pipe dream, I've never owned a house.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Though some of it is done to give the men real-world skills, for many of them parole is, at best, a distant pipe dream.

The New York Times

But even with education discounts, their respective desktops were still fairly pricey — expensive enough to make the dream of providing every student with their own system a distant pipe dream.

TechCrunch

Many Kurds still harbour the dream of a homeland which unites the Kurdish elements of Turkey, Syria and Iran as well as Iraq - although they're pragmatic enough to recognise that as no more than a distant pipe dream.

BBC

Panelists traded advice on how lengthy world travel does not have to be a distant pipe dream, and how longer trips allow for more flexibility and serendipity.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The stewards, still unsure of their quarry, surveyed the mass of cricket fans suspiciously until a distant voice piped up: "I am Spartacus".

The Economist

Mr. Mbeki, the distant, pipe-puffing, capitalist intellectual, was schooled in British universities during exile under apartheid.

The New York Times

All he heard was water in the building's pipes, a distant rumbling of trucks outside.

The New Yorker

His extraordinary swing was a distant memory, and his perfect swing was a pipe dream.

Huffington Post

Previously when gas was detected, he said, the utility had to stay on the site until it was determined by a distant laboratory whether the gas was from its pipes or a landfill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant pipe" to add a layer of metaphor to writing, emphasizing something that is either physically far away or unlikely to happen. Consider the context to ensure the image resonates with your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant pipe" when you simply mean something is physically far away without any implication of unattainability or unlikelihood. Direct descriptions are clearer in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant pipe" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used metaphorically to describe something that is remote, unlikely, or unattainable. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing its role in expressing abstract concepts. For example, it could refer to a goal or ambition that seems far off.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distant pipe" functions as a noun phrase often used metaphorically to convey remoteness, unattainability, or unlikelihood. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its correct usage in various contexts, primarily within news and media, as well as formal and business settings. While not overly common, its presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its validity in both neutral and somewhat formal registers. Remember that while Ludwig's AI validates the expression, be cautious in its usage. Consider context and intent to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a faraway dream

Focuses on the dreamlike quality of something unattainable.

a remote chance

Substitutes 'distant' with 'remote' and 'pipe' with 'chance', both emphasizing improbability.

a slim prospect

Uses 'slim' to convey the low probability.

a far-off possibility

Replaces 'pipe' with 'possibility', focusing on the unattainability aspect.

an unlikely scenario

Rephrases to highlight the improbability of the situation.

a faint hope

Emphasizes the weakness or unlikelihood of the 'pipe' or 'dream'.

an improbable outcome

Focuses on the unlikelihood of the result.

a long shot

Replaces the whole expression with a common idiom indicating low probability of success.

a future aspiration

Highlights the aspirational but potentially unrealizable aspect.

a theoretical ideal

Emphasizes the abstract and possibly impractical nature.

FAQs

What does the phrase "a distant pipe" usually imply?

The phrase "a distant pipe" usually implies something that is far off, either in terms of physical distance or, more commonly, in terms of possibility or likelihood. It suggests something is not easily attainable or perhaps just a dream.

How can I use "a distant pipe" in a sentence?

You can use "a distant pipe" in a sentence to describe a goal, ambition, or idea that seems unlikely to be achieved. For example, "For many, owning a home is "a distant pipe" dream."

What are some synonyms for "a distant pipe"?

Some synonyms for "a distant pipe" include "a far-off possibility", "a remote chance", or "a faint hope". These alternatives all convey a sense of something being unlikely or difficult to reach.

Is "a distant pipe" an idiom?

While "a distant pipe" is often used metaphorically to describe something unattainable, it is more accurately described as a figure of speech or a common expression rather than a formal idiom. The closely related phrase "pipe dream" is a more established idiom with a very similar meaning.