country mile
A long way, a great distance.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The next gas station is a country mile away.”
“This old house is a country mile from the nearest grocery store.”
“You are a country mile away from the correct answer to this question.”
“You missed the turn, so the hotel is now a country mile behind us.”
“The runner won the race by a country mile, crossing the finish line long before the other athletes even appeared.”
“Her new apartment is a country mile from her office, so she spends two hours on the train every morning.”
“Although he claimed to be near the destination, the village remained a country mile beyond the distant, fog-covered hills.”
first recorded 18th c.
From *country* + *mile*, the term entered the written record c. 1717 in the publications of M. Dutton.
The idiom derives from the topographical inconveniences of rural travel. Whereas a mile in the city might follow a straight line, roads in the country were notable for a winding, twisting nature. This lack of linear discipline ensured that the perceived distance of the journey frequently exceeded the measured distance of the road.
- 01
first mile
The initial stage of delivery of goods, etc., from the seller or producer to a distribution centre, often involving greater effort or expense.
- 02
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
- 03
go the extra mile
To make an extra effort; to do a particularly good job.
- 04
last mile
The final stage of delivery of goods, etc., from a distribution centre to the consumer, often involving greater effort or expense.
- 05
line of country
One's area of specialization or interest.
- 06
mile a minute
Very quickly.
- 07
run a mile
To escape, flee, or leave a situation or relationship, usually as a result of a shocking or sudden announcement or revelation.
- 08
talk a mile a minute
To speak quickly or excessively.
Last updated August 10, 2026