distance

dis|tance1 [ `dıstəns ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount the amount of space between two people or things:

distance from: It is important to consider distance from public transportation when buying a house.

distance to: They started to walk the short distance to the camp.

distance of: a distance of five miles

long distances: He's used to driving long distances.

some/a good/a considerable distance: His parents live some distance away.

at a distance of: Altair, at a distance of 17 light-years, is one of the closest of the bright stars.

a ) count or uncount the amount of time between two points in time:

A definitive cure is still some distance away.

b ) uncount the fact that two people or things are far apart from each other:

The distance has never been a problem for our relationship.

2. ) uncount great differences between two people or things:

the social distance between farmers and farm workers

3. ) singular or uncount if there is a distance between two people, their relationship is not friendly or close

a ) a way of speaking or behaving that is not very friendly and does not encourage other people to talk to you:

It was his distance toward me that was so upsetting.

4. ) uncount the amount of progress that needs to be made in order to solve a problem:

There's still some distance to go.

at/from a distance

1. ) at/from a place that is not close:

I've only ever seen him from a distance.

Tim followed him at a distance (=keeping a long way behind him).

2. ) at/from a much later point in time:

From a distance I suppose it'll seem funny.

go the (full) distance INFORMAL

1. ) to compete in a race or game until the end, continuing to try to win

2. ) to continue doing what is necessary until you achieve your goal

in/into the distance

at/to a place that is very far from where you are, although you can still see or hear things there:

The peaks of the Pyrenees could be seen in the distance.

His gaze shifted, and he stared into the distance.

keep someone at a distance

to not let someone become friendly with you

keep your distance

1. ) to avoid going near someone or something

2. ) to avoid becoming friendly with someone

put some distance between

1. ) to go away from a person or place, especially in order to avoid a dangerous or unpleasant situation

2. ) to say or do something that shows that you are not connected with or do not approve of something:

The strategy is to put some distance between the liberal and conservative branches of the party.

3. ) to deliberately make a relationship less close or friendly:

My instincts warned me to put some distance between us.

a safe distance

far enough away from someone or something not to be in danger:

At a safe distance from the action, General Lewis was directing troop movements.

within walking/driving etc. distance

possible to reach by walking/driving, etc.:

within walking/driving etc. distance of: The house was within walking distance of the university.

The village is within commuting distance of New York.

=> SPIT1, STRIKE1

distance

dis|tance 2 [ `dıstəns ] verb transitive

distance yourself/someone from

to act in a way that shows you or someone is not connected with someone or something, usually because you do not approve of them:

The company is trying to distance itself from remarks made by the former director.

distance

dis|tance 3 [ `dıstəns ] adjective only before noun

consisting of or taking part in races in which people run or swim a long distance:

the nation's best distance runners