Meaning of striking distance | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A distance at which a soldier, military force, vessel, etc. is sufficiently near to be able to attack an opponent.
   countable, uncountable
2. A distance at which one is sufficiently near to an objective to have an opportunity to achieve it.
   countable, figuratively, uncountable

Examples

“"Nay, sir, a soldier, who is about to be posted within striking distance of his enemy, can never speak⟳, with confidence, of separations that are to be short."”

“The two brigades at either end⟳ of the Boer lines had lost no chance of pushing in, and now they had come⟳ within striking distance.”

“I'm working on an invention of a new aeroplane stabilizer, and if I go now it will be just at a time when I am within striking distance of success.”

“The probe breakthrough confirmed that French and British tunnelers were within striking distance of completing the first tunnel under the English Channel.”

CEFR level