a far cry from reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a far cry from reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or statement that is very different from the actual truth or circumstances. Example: "The company's projections for next quarter are a far cry from reality, given the current market conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Yet in many developing nations the 90-minute operation is a far cry from reality.

The Guardian

Helen Zille, the DA's leader, insists that voters want South African politics to be "an open contest of ideas and values", rather than driven by race: a fine aspiration but a far cry from reality.

The Economist

Cuba is the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean with which the EU has no formal co-operation agreement but I am afraid your assumption that the "new office will only deal with trade matters" is a far cry from reality.

The Economist

These smart solutions to help streamline traffic and mitigate traffic collisions aren't a far cry from reality — global examples exist in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santander, Spain and Singaporee.

TechCrunch

However, our study results suggest that financial protection from such costs by public health facilities seems to be a far cry from reality, especially for non-communicable diseases, which are traditionally not prioritized in low-income countries.

Health Policy and Planning

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The very phrase "brownfield site" conjures up a picture of post-industrial devastation – a far cry from the reality of places such as Canvey Wick in Essex.

The Guardian - Books

This is a far cry from the reality in which tweens and teenagers can average over eight hours a day.

Huffington Post

It was, and remains, a far cry from the reality in Acapulco, which is one of the cities seeing a renewed rise in its murder rate.

Vice

Indeed, Rojek is quick to point out that Friends was—like so much television a largely sanitized and apolitical version of the day and age it was situated in, as well as a far cry from the realities of American life.

Vice

His vision is a far cry from today's reality.

The New York Times

His university would therefore be dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, would be "the high protecting power of all knowledge and science, of fact and principle, of inquiry and discovery, of experiment and speculation".Doing worthwhile thingsThis is a far cry from today's reality.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a far cry from reality" to emphasize a significant and often disappointing difference between expectations or ideals and the actual situation. This idiom is particularly effective when highlighting discrepancies in plans, theories, or representations versus real-world outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "a far cry from reality" when the difference is minor or negligible. This idiom is most impactful when the contrast is substantial and noticeable, otherwise, it can sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a far cry from reality" functions as an idiomatic expression used to highlight a significant difference or disparity between what is expected, claimed, or desired and the actual state of affairs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a far cry from reality" is an idiomatic phrase used to strongly contrast expectations with the actual situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. It is commonly found in news and media, and science articles to express disillusionment or critique. While the phrase has a neutral register, it's more impactful when the contrast is substantial and less appropriate for minor differences. Alternatives include "worlds apart from reality" and "bears no resemblance to reality". Use this phrase to emphasize significant discrepancies for a more compelling statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worlds apart from reality

Emphasizes the extreme difference, suggesting the situations are virtually unrelated.

completely divorced from reality

Highlights a total disconnection from real circumstances.

bears no resemblance to reality

Focuses on the lack of similarity between a concept and its real-world counterpart.

a world away from reality

Suggests a great distance, either physical or metaphorical, from what is real.

nothing like reality

Simple and direct, indicating a strong contrast.

a different world than reality

Highlights a stark difference in environment or circumstances.

in stark contrast to reality

Emphasizes a sharp and obvious difference.

far removed from the truth

Indicates that something is significantly untrue or inaccurate.

a far distance from actuality

Uses a more formal tone to express a significant deviation from what actually exists.

remote from the facts

Suggests a disconnection from verifiable information or events.

FAQs

How can I use "a far cry from reality" in a sentence?

Use "a far cry from reality" to emphasize that something is very different from what is true or expected. For example, "The politician's promises of economic prosperity are "a far cry from reality", given the current recession."

What's an alternative to "a far cry from reality"?

Alternatives include "worlds apart from reality", "completely divorced from reality", or "bears no resemblance to reality". Each emphasizes a significant difference or disconnect.

Is it appropriate to use "a far cry from reality" in formal writing?

Yes, "a far cry from reality" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, but consider the context. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less formal depending on the surrounding language. More formal alternatives might include "bears no resemblance to actuality".

How does "a far cry from reality" differ from "wishful thinking"?

"A far cry from reality" describes a current state that differs significantly from reality, while "wishful thinking" refers to believing something will happen despite evidence to the contrary. "Wishful thinking" is about unfounded optimism, while "a far cry from reality" is about existing discrepancies.