within striking distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'within striking distance' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use phrase to refer to a place or situation that is close or nearly possible to reach. For example, "The team is within striking distance of winning the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm definitely within striking distance".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're within striking distance," Wright said.

The New York Times - Sports

Now I was within striking distance.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, Trevino, Irwin and Quigley moved within striking distance.

The New York Times - Sports

But we're within striking distance of taking that city.

The Guardian

Italy's Giovanni Soldini was also within striking distance.

The New York Times - Sports

For one thing, it is within striking distance of Hackney.

The Guardian - Travel

After six years, they are now within striking distance.

The New Yorker

He kept them within striking distance before finally taking over.

The New York Times - Sports

For Figueres, the 2C target is now within striking distance.

The Guardian

They are within striking distance of taking several other houses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within striking distance" when you want to convey that something is close to being achieved, whether it's a physical location, a goal, or a target. This phrase is effective in creating a sense of anticipation and potential success.

Common error

Avoid using "within striking distance" to simply indicate nearness without implying a potential for action or attainment. It suggests not just proximity, but the ability to take decisive action to achieve something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within striking distance" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It describes the state of being near enough to achieve a goal or reach a target. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

25%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within striking distance" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that effectively communicates proximity to a goal or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Analysis of numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian shows that it's frequently used in news, sports, and travel contexts. While alternatives like "within reach" and "on the verge of" exist, "within striking distance" uniquely implies not just nearness, but also the potential and readiness to take action to achieve the desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within reach

Emphasizes accessibility rather than potential for action.

close to achieving

Focuses specifically on the act of attainment.

on the verge of

Highlights imminence or being about to happen.

nearly attainable

Stresses the possibility and ease of attainment.

in close contention

Highlights the competitive nature of being near victory or success.

approaching rapidly

Implies movement and a closing of the gap.

drawing near

Suggests a gradual approach to a specific point.

just around the corner

Suggests the goal is near and easily achievable.

within a hair's breadth

Emphasizes how incredibly close something is.

a stone's throw away

Emphasizes physical or metaphorical closeness.

FAQs

How can I use "within striking distance" in a sentence?

You can use "within striking distance" to indicate that someone or something is close to achieving a goal. For instance, "The team is "within striking distance" of winning the championship."

What are some alternatives to saying "within striking distance"?

You can use alternatives like "within reach", "close to achieving", or "on the verge of" depending on the context.

Is "within striking distance" an idiom?

Yes, "within striking distance" is an idiom that means being close enough to achieve something, not necessarily related to physical striking.

What's the difference between "within striking distance" and "within reach"?

"Within striking distance" implies not only closeness but also the potential for immediate action to achieve a goal. "Within reach" simply suggests accessibility.