a moon away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a moon away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a distance that is metaphorically or literally far away, often implying a sense of longing or separation. Example: "After the argument, it felt like we were a moon away from each other, despite being in the same room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hundreds of miles and a moon away in spirit, roughly 150 people heard Independence Party candidate Tom Golisano concede defeat in a five-minute speech in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza hotel in Rochester.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now, sadly, as the Comden and Green lyric says: "The party's over/It's time to call it a day/ They've burst your pretty balloon/ And taken the moon away".

The New York Times

This hints at a fragility that one wishes there had been more of; away from the moon, away from heightened language, poetry often resides in simple expressions of the truth.

Independent

2. The moon is full when it is opposite the sun, so a high full moon would mean the north pole of the earth's axis is tilted towards the moon, away from the sun, which would be during the winter solstice, or December in NY. 3.

The New York Times

If they were created by asteroid collisions, would there not likely be more on the far side of the moon, away from the earth than on the side that faces the Earth, since the far side is not blocked by the Earth?

Cornell University

Robert Buchanan writing in the 19th century described it as: As sweet a little nook as ever Ulysses mooned away a day in, during his memorable voyage homeward.

Wikipedia

Even with pics of the hardware making their way out last week, my brain had haphazardly decided that the Versa was still a good number of moons away.

TechCrunch

Sadly, this becoming a reality remains many moons away.

Vice

His play has been a key in putting the Giants where they are: one victory away from snatching a wild-card spot that once seemed moons away.

The New York Times - Sports

The "crisis" of last month now seems many moons away.

The Times

He had often told me, in moments of despair, that he wished he was dead, though... nothing happened, of course.' After recovering from his psychosis, Hills became increasingly depressed, mooning away the long, dead days at home.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact of "a moon away". It can evoke a sense of longing, separation, or the vastness of space, making it a strong choice when you want to create a specific mood.

Common error

Avoid using "a moon away" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive or sound contrived. Use it sparingly to maintain its impact and freshness. Alternatives such as "worlds apart" or "light years away" can prevent overuse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a moon away" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression. It's used to describe something that is distant, whether physically or metaphorically, adding a touch of imagery. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and effective for implying separation or longing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a moon away" is a figurative expression used to convey distance, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While grammatically sound, its frequency is uncommon, making it best suited for adding color to creative or informal writing. It's important to use it judiciously to maintain its evocative impact. Related phrases, such as "worlds apart" or "light years away", can serve as alternatives in different contexts. Being mindful of these nuances ensures effective and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worlds apart

Emphasizes a significant difference or separation, often used for abstract concepts.

light years away

Highlights extreme distance, typically used in a scientific or futuristic context.

a great distance

A more general way to express being far, less evocative than "a moon away".

far removed

Implies distance in terms of relevance, connection, or time.

in the distant future

Specifically refers to a time far ahead.

miles away

A common idiom for physical or metaphorical distance, less poetic.

out of reach

Highlights the inaccessibility of something, either physically or metaphorically.

a far cry from

Emphasizes a significant difference or contrast.

on another planet

Highlights an extreme difference or detachment from reality.

distant prospect

Indicates that something is unlikely to happen soon.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as being "a moon away"?

The phrase "a moon away" is a figurative expression used to describe something that is far away, either literally in terms of distance, or metaphorically in terms of time or concept. It suggests a significant separation.

Is it appropriate to use "a moon away" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a moon away" is generally more suited for creative writing or informal contexts. In formal writing, more precise language or alternatives like "a great distance" might be more appropriate.

How can I use the phrase "a moon away" in a sentence?

You can use "a moon away" to describe physical distance, as in, "The new research facility seems "light years away" from practical application", or emotional distance, such as, "After the argument, it felt like we were "worlds apart"".

What are some similar expressions to "a moon away" that I can use?

Alternatives to "a moon away" include "worlds apart", "light years away", "a great distance", or "far removed", depending on the specific context and the type of distance you want to convey.