range
at close range
In close proximity to a person or thing. Typically used to describe a nearby target in shooting. Be careful when firing at close range! At close range, I could see that the scary insect was just a harmless June bug.
See also: close, range
at point-blank range
In close proximity to a person or thing. Typically used to describe a nearby target in shooting. Be careful when firing at point-blank range!
See also: range
bring (something) within a/the range
To adjust or improve something so that it meets a certain requirement or expectation. An adjective is often used before "range." You need to bring your students' standardized test scores within the acceptable range for their grade level.
See also: bring, range, within
bring (something) within range
To cause something to move within the distance that one's gunfire can reach. Once our calls brought several turkeys within range, we readied our guns.
See also: bring, range, within
come within range
To move close enough within an area to be seen, heard, or reached by something. When the lion came within range, we readied our guns. He never came within range of the microphone, so we weren't able to capture anything he was saying. You need to come within range, or the camera won't be able to focus on you properly.
See also: come, range, within
free-range kids
Children who are granted ample freedom with limited parental supervision, within boundaries considered appropriate by their parents. The movement to allow such freedom is often seen as a reaction against laws, rules, and societal pressures mandating that children are supervised nearly at all times. We believe in raising free-range kids, so once we think our kids are mature enough to handle the responsibility of walking to the park by themselves, we'll let them.
See also: kid
free-range parenting
A movement and/or method of parenting in which children are granted ample freedom with limited parental supervision, within boundaries considered appropriate by their parents. The movement is often seen as a reaction against laws, rules, and societal pressures mandating that children are supervised nearly at all times. We believe in free-range parenting, so once we think our kids are mature enough to handle the responsibility of walking to the park by themselves, we'll let them.
See also: parenting
in range
nauticalPositioned one behind the other. The ships are in range now, Captain. How shall we proceed?
See also: range
move within range
1. To move close enough within an area around someone or something to reach or be reached by them or it. We readied our guns as we moved within range of the elephant. Once he moves within range of the microphone, we'll be able to capture anything he says on tape. You have to move within range of the camera or it won't be able to focus on you properly.
2. To advance to a position that allows one to achieve or accomplish something. Following the massive success of our latest product, we should be moving within range of achieving our sales forecast for the entire year. Following a third consecutive debate victory, the candidate seems to have moved within range of winning this election.
See also: move, range, within
out of range
1. At a distance at which someone or something cannot be seen, heard, or touched. The bears can be particularly hostile during this time of year, so we must remain out of range. Be sure to keep the medication behind a locked door that is out of range of any children.
2. By extension, incapable of being achieved or obtained due to some limitation or restriction. Unfortunately, financial assistance is out of range for many families due to the extremely low threshold for monthly income. There were many times when I thought my dream of becoming an actor was out of range, but I just kept trying and working, and eventually I got the break of a lifetime.
See also: of, out, range
range over (something or some place)
To move, travel, or search over a large area or place. You can let your animals range over the pasture behind my grandfather's cabin. We ranged over the many acres, keeping watch for bandits and wolves.
See also: over, range
within range
Close enough within an area to be seen, heard, or reached by someone or something. With the lion nearly within range, we readied our guns. He wasn't within range of the microphone, so we weren't able to capture anything he was saying. You have to stay within range, or the camera won't be able to focus on you properly.
See also: range, within
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
at close range
very near; in close proximity. (Usually used in regard to shooting.) The hunter fired at the deer at close range. The powder burns tell us that the gun was fired at close range.
See also: close, range
bring someone or something within range (of someone or something)
to cause someone or something to be in someone's or something's [gun] sights. Don't bring the hunters within range of the farmer's gun sights. The bait brought the geese within range of Jeff and his friends.
See also: bring, range, within
bring something within a range
to adjust something into a particular range; to adjust a parameter. Let's try to bring your cholesterol within the normal range with diet. It was brought within the normal range by an expensive drug.
See also: bring, range, within
come within range
(of something) Go to within range (of something).
See also: come, range, within
move within range
(of something) Go to within range (of something).
See also: move, range, within
range (from something to something)
to vary from one thing to another. The winter weather ranges from bad to terrible in this part of the north. The appraisals of the property ranged from high to low.
range over something
to cover an area; to travel about in one area. The buffalo ranged over vast areas of prairie, grazing and breeding. These animals range over a very large territory.
See also: over, range
*within range (of something)
inside an area that can be covered by something, such as a gun, camera lens, measuring device, etc. (*Typically: be ~; come ~; get ~; move ~.) The sick elephant was within range, so we shot it with tranquilizer darts so we could treat it. When the ducks were within range of my gun, I sneezed and frightened them away. You won't be able to hear what they are saying until you get within range of the P.A. system.
See also: range, within
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
at close range
Very nearby, as in At close range, the rock band was unbearably loud. Derived from shooting- range denotes the distance that missile or projectile can be made to travel-this expression soon came to mean anything in close proximity.
See also: close, range
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
in/within ˈrange (of something)
near enough to be reached, seen or heard: He shouted angrily at anyone within range.See also: range, within
out of ˈrange (of something)
too far away to be reached, seen or heard: The cat stayed well out of range of the children.See also: of, out, range
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- at close range
- close by
- be close to the mark
- be close to/near the mark
- too close for comfort
- too close to call
- close to the mark
- close to your heart
- close to (one's) heart
- close at hand