get some distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get some distance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to suggest that someone should separate themselves from a situation, either physically or emotionally. For example, "It's been a really difficult week, so I think I need to get some distance and take a few days to myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

That's right — take yourself out of your job so that you'll get some distance from it.

Harvard Business Review

I was trying to get some distance from the Holocaust, but I saw uncanny similarities in another genocide.

The New York Times

And when I get some distance away, people say, 'You live there?' They think we live in an industrial area".

The New York Times

7 p.m. 8) THAT OLD-TIME LINGUINE Time to get some distance from the Strip's hurly-burly.

The New York Times - Travel

"I just wanted to be invisible - really get some distance from this thing that I'd created called Michael Clark".

The Guardian

Rather than cocoon himself at home and get some distance from his cockamamie device, Steltzner had become something of a poster boy for it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Silly humor" can help calm you down and get some distances from what's upset you.

WikiHow

I called on my colt there at the head of the lane and we got some distance between us".

The New York Times - Sports

"In some ways I feel like getting some distance from that event has allowed the project to have a wider resonance," he said.

The New York Times

By not having to take direct responsibility for his anti-Kerry spot, Mr. Bush got some distance from it -- even though it is on his Web site.

The New York Times

There was plenty of room between them, enough to make you feel that you were getting some distance on the work.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get some distance" when you want to convey the idea of creating space, whether physical or emotional, to gain a better perspective or to recover from a difficult situation.

Common error

While "get some distance" is a useful idiom, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "create separation", "gain perspective", or "take a break" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "get some distance" is to act as an idiomatic verb phrase. It conveys the action of creating separation, either physically or emotionally, from a situation, person, or thing. As shown by Ludwig, it is generally used to suggest a need for perspective or healing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

25%

Huffington Post

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

The New Yorker

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get some distance" is a common idiomatic expression that advises creating separation, either physical or emotional, from a situation or person, to gain clarity or recover. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, but also across various other contexts. If you're looking for alternative ways to express this idea, consider phrases like "create separation" or "gain perspective". Remember to use it appropriately to convey the need for space and perspective in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get some separation

Focuses on the act of creating a division or space.

go some distance

Emphasizes the act of moving away, covering a certain space.

take some distance

Highlights the action of assuming or creating a spatial separation.

gain some distance

Suggests achieving or acquiring more space.

come some distance

Implies progression or movement away from a starting point.

be some distance

States that an object or person exists at a certain separation from another.

get some range

Focuses on expanding scope of something away from the observer.

put some distance

Highlights the act of placing or creating separation between things.

have some distance

Refers to possessing some separation.

took some distance

Indicates the action of creating separation in the past.

FAQs

How to use "get some distance" in a sentence?

You can use "get some distance" to suggest separating yourself from a situation. For example, "After the argument, I needed to "get some distance" to calm down."

What does "get some distance" mean?

"Get some distance" means to create space, either physically or emotionally, between yourself and a situation, person, or thing. It often implies a need for perspective or healing.

What can I say instead of "get some distance"?

You can use alternatives like "create separation", "gain perspective", or "take a break" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "get some distance"?

It's appropriate to use "get some distance" when you want to express the need to separate from a situation to gain clarity, perspective, or emotional recovery. It can apply to relationships, work, or personal issues.