Good jobs in this small town are few and far between.
few and far between
idiomRare and scarce; hard to find.
Origin
disputed originAttested at least since the 17th century. Was originally reserved for physical objects, such as houses, appearing with wide gaps between, but today it is also applied to more abstract things. Being rare also implies that the average gaps between the objects are wide.
Opportunities to travel abroad for work are few and far between, so she applied immediately.
In the desolate landscape, signs of human life were few and far between, leaving the travelers feeling truly isolated.
- 01
a bridge too far
A step or action that is too ambitious; an act of overreaching.
- 02
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.
- 03
far and away
By a large degree or margin; greatly (used before comparative and superlative adjectives).
- 04
far be it
A disclaimer stating that something should not come to pass, or that a person would never do or think a certain thing.
- 05
far cry
A long distance, in terms of dissimilarity or difference.
- 06
far post
The goalpost furthest from where a cross is made.
- 07
go far
To attain success, especially from humble origins; achieve a great deal.
- 08
go so far as
To reach an unexpected extent in doing something.