a stone's throw away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a stone's throw away' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is located a very short distance away from the speaker. For example: "The beach is only a stone's throw away from our house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Just a stone's throw away from the A96 near Inverurie, there's a place called Pitscurry.

BBC

It's easy to get lost in nature just a stone's throw away from the city.

HuffPost

"It's obviously tempting to blame her for posing for a photo a stone's throw away from the isolation camps, but people don't think.

Independent

The Tweed Courthouse is a stone's throw away.

The New Yorker

Only a stone's throw away is Tehran's famous Grand Bazaar.

The Guardian - Travel

But mother nature is always a stone's throw away.

The New York Times - Travel

A stone's throw away is the No. 2 suspect, Target.

The New York Times

And the bus stop is a stone's throw away," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A Burmese outpost is a stone's-throw away, across the paddy-field below, where Burmese labourers are frantically working to build a border fence.

The Economist

A stone's-throw away is a great wooden door, lacquered dark with varnish, a fluted arch above it providing shade.

BBC

Being only a stone's-throw away from the arrival terminal means that patients have only a five-minute drive to the hospital for their care.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse in formal or technical writing; opt for more precise spatial descriptions when accuracy is crucial.

Common error

Be mindful of the informal tone. While generally acceptable, "a stone's throw away" might not suit highly formal or technical contexts where precision is key. Consider alternatives like "nearby" or "in close proximity" for a more neutral effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stone's throw away" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate proximity. It describes how close something is in relation to another location. Ludwig provides many examples showing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

25%

General Conversation

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a stone's throw away" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe something that is very close by. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate proximity, and is typically found in news, travel writing, and general conversation. While generally acceptable, more precise language might be preferable for formal or technical contexts. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used and understood, contributing to its versatility across different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very close by

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary to express the idea of close proximity.

in close proximity

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the spatial relationship.

just around the corner

This idiom suggests a short distance, often implying convenience.

only steps away

This implies a very short walking distance.

within easy reach

This indicates that something is not only nearby but also easily accessible.

a short distance

This is a more literal and less idiomatic way to express nearness.

within spitting distance

This idiom is more informal and emphasizes extreme closeness.

just a skip away

This is similar to "a hop, skip, and a jump away", but shorter and more concise.

a hop, skip, and a jump away

This playful idiom suggests a very short and effortless journey.

in the immediate vicinity

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the surrounding area.

FAQs

What does the idiom "a stone's throw away" mean?

The idiom "a stone's throw away" means that something is very close or nearby. It suggests that the distance is so short that one could easily throw a stone and reach the location.

How can I use "a stone's throw away" in a sentence?

You can use "a stone's throw away" to describe the proximity of one place to another. For example, "The hotel is "very close by" to the beach" or "The new cafe is "just around the corner" from my office."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a stone's throw away"?

Some alternatives to "a stone's throw away" include "nearby", "in close proximity", ""just around the corner"", "within easy reach", or "a short distance".

Is "a stone's throw away" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a stone's throw away" is an idiom and leans towards informal usage. For formal writing, consider more precise and neutral alternatives like "nearby" or "in close proximity".