a stone's throw
The bakery is just a stone's throw from my house.
The bakery is very close to my house.
a very short distance away
The beach is only a stone's throw from our hotel.
The beach is very close to our hotel.
The supermarket is a stone's throw away from the park.
The supermarket is very near the park.
Used to describe proximity in a figurative or exaggerated sense, not a literal measurement.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal interpretation
This phrase is always figurative. Do not use it to describe an actual distance measured by throwing a stone.
Gold Rule
Use for emphasis on proximity
Use 'a stone's throw' to emphasize how close something is, not to give an exact measurement.
Word Origin
The phrase dates back to the 16th century and refers to the distance a stone could be thrown by hand, historically considered a short distance.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in everyday speech to emphasize closeness. Avoid using it for literal distances, as it is figurative.