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