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UKwithin / in striking distance
/wɪðˌɪn ɪn stɹˈaɪkɪŋ dˈɪstəns/
/wɪðˌɪn ɪn stɹˈaɪkɪŋ dˈɪstəns/within / in striking distance
[PHRASE]
What is the origin of the idiom "within striking distance" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "within striking distance" comes from the military use of the term "strike." In warfare, a strike refers to a sudden and decisive attack on an enemy. When an enemy is within striking distance, it means that they are close enough to be attacked with a weapon. Over time, the term "within striking distance" has come to be used in a broader sense to describe a situation in which someone or something is very close to achieving a goal or objective, and a decisive action could lead to success.
Examples
1. After completing all the coursework, I'm now within striking distance to earning my degree.
2. Mary was in striking distance of graduating, but she needed to perform well on her final exams.
3. After months of hard work, the team was finally within striking distance of completing the project on time.
4. Each worm is armed with five antennae it can use to sense when a fish is lurking within striking distance.
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