long way off

USAGE SUMMARY

"long way off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is far away or a great distance away. For example: "The finish line is still a long way off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a long way off," he said.

The Guardian

We're a long way off from Christmas.

The New Yorker

Most pundits think that is a long way off too.

The Economist

But that is a long way off yet.

The Economist

That's probably a long way off, though.

TechCrunch

"January is a long way off," he said.

BBC

Expansion into China is a long way off, too.

Forbes

No, I still feel a long way off," said Compton.

BBC

"Paris is a long way off," he said.

BBC

"450 sounds a long way off," he told the BBC.

BBC

"I think that's a long way off yet".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "long way off" to convey a sense of distance or unlikelihood in both time and achievement. For instance, "Becoming fluent in Japanese is a "long way off" for me".

Common error

Avoid using "long way off" when you mean a physical departure. The phrase denotes distance in time or progress, not physical movement. For example, it's incorrect to say, "He is a long way off" when you mean "He is far away".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long way off" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an event or goal is distant in time or achievement. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this across various contexts, from future prospects to personal milestones.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long way off" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates distance in time, progress, or likelihood. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its prevalence in news and business contexts underscores its neutrality and broad applicability. When writing, remember that the phrase is for non-physical distance and scope, it should avoid misinterpretations and ensure accurate conveyance of your intended meaning. Alternative phrases like "distant future" or "remote possibility" can provide nuance, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not for a while

Simply states that something will not happen soon.

distant future

Focuses specifically on time, indicating something will happen far in the future.

far-off prospect

Highlights that something is being considered but is not likely to occur soon.

remote possibility

Emphasizes the low likelihood of something occurring.

a long shot

Indicates a low probability of success or occurrence.

not in the cards

Suggests that something is not destined to happen or is improbable.

down the road

Indicates something will happen later, but the timing is indefinite.

over the horizon

Suggests something is coming, but not immediately.

in the fullness of time

Emphasizes that something will happen when the time is right, usually a long time later.

at a later stage

Focuses on the sequence of events, rather than the temporal distance.

FAQs

How can I use "long way off" in a sentence?

You can use "long way off" to describe something that is distant in the future or requires significant progress. For example, "Retirement is still a "long way off" for me" or "Achieving our sales target is a "long way off" at this rate".

What's a good alternative to saying "long way off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "distant future", "remote possibility", or "not for a while". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a long ways off"?

While some might use "a long ways off" informally, "long way off" is generally considered more grammatically correct and is preferred in formal writing.

What does it mean when someone says something is "a long way off"?

When someone says something is "a long way off", it typically means that it is not going to happen soon or that there is still a significant amount of time or effort required before it can be achieved. It implies that the goal or event is distant, either temporally or figuratively.