ENGLISH
REFERENCE

country mile

idiom
Meaning

A long way, a great distance.


Origin

first recorded 18th c.

From country + mile. So named due to the winding, twisting nature of country roads, a country mile appears to take much longer to travel than a mile in the city, where the roads are straighter. First use appears c. 1717, in the publications of M. Dutton.

Examples
SIMPLE

The next gas station is a country mile away.

CONTEXTUAL

You missed the turn, so the hotel is now a country mile behind us.

COMPLEX

Although he claimed to be near the destination, the village remained a country mile beyond the distant, fog-covered hills.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 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.

  2. 02

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  3. 03

    go the extra mile

    To make an extra effort; to do a particularly good job.

  4. 04

    last mile

    The final stage of delivery of goods, etc., from a distribution centre to the consumer, often involving greater effort or expense.

  5. 05

    line of country

    One's area of specialization or interest.

  6. 06

    mile a minute

    Very quickly.

  7. 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.

  8. 08

    talk a mile a minute

    To speak quickly or excessively.

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