within spitting distance

within spitting distance (of someone or something)

In close proximity to or a short distance away from some desired thing, person, goal, or objective. A World Cup victory was within spitting distance for Germany, but a last penalty kick robbed them of their prize. My grandmother's house is rather old and a bit spooky, but as it is within spitting distance of the sea, it was always a favorite summer destination when we were kids.
See also: distance, someone, spit, within
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

within spitting distance

1. If someone or something is within spitting distance of a place, they are very close to it. Most of the world's biggest financial firms are already established within spitting distance of the Bank of England. Logan Airport is built out into the bay, within spitting distance of Boston's skyline. Note: People sometimes vary this expression, for example saying that something or someone is in spitting distance or spitting distance away. Most of the invaders were public schoolboys living in spitting distance of Highgrove. Their apartment block is situated in the middle of Manhattan, with Broadway only spitting distance away.
2. If someone or something is within spitting distance of an amount, level, or goal, they are very close to achieving it. Its share of world trade was within spitting distance of Britain's. Economic recovery was not what got the Wilson government back to within spitting distance of success.
See also: distance, spit, within
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

within spitting distance

within a very short distance.
1991 Time His reputation as a hard-boiled novelist is within spitting distance of Hammett's and Chandler's.
See also: distance, spit, within
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

within ˈspitting distance (of something)

(British English) (also within ˈshouting distance American English, British English ) (informal) very near a place: We live within spitting distance of the sea.
See also: distance, spit, within
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

within spitting distance

mod. close by. The house you’re looking for is within spitting distance, but it’s hard to find.
See also: distance, spit, within
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • within spitting distance (of someone or something)
  • in spitting distance (of someone or something)
  • within striking distance (of someone or something)
  • in striking distance (of someone or something)
  • put some distance between
  • put some distance between (someone or something)
  • put some distance between someone and someone/something
  • into the distance
  • pace (something) out
  • pace out
References in periodicals archive
T is a "transman" who lives with a loving wife within spitting distance of the barren site where once the Twin Towers had stood.
The American Diaspora
At the equally tiny library of Borden-Carleton--almost within spitting distance of the enormous Confederation Bridge--every inch of floor space was filled.
Hazel Hutchins in PEI
The cover we hunt in is often quite open making it hard to get within spitting distance of skittish animals.
Thoughts on maximum range
In a perfect world, Triad wouldn't choose to build the new McKenzie-Willamette in north Eugene within spitting distance of PeaceHealth's new RiverBend hospital campus in Springfield.
Homeless hospital
Jamie Ringer, as ever, was in support and after some great handling the move broke down within spitting distance of the Edinburgh line.
THE DREAM LIVES ON
The latest test on the Integrity Superdome running Windows 2003 Datacenter Edition and SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition brings it to within spitting distance to the machine when running HP's own HP-UX 11i Unix operating system and the future Oracle 10G database.
HP Pushes Wintel Superdome Performance Again
The museum's current location is within spitting distance of Dean & Deluca; its new home will be two doors down from the Bowery Mission.
New again. (News)
And the area had its allure--it was within spitting distance of the World Trade Center and New York's financial district, movie studios, and a booming shopping area.
Surviving 9-11: Wahday Washington and Tony Wilson knew it wouldn't be easy to expand their business, but the gym owners could not have prepared for the tragedy that threatened to shatter their entrepreneurial dreams. (A Year In The Life)
Sergio Musalem, owner of the Natural Fresh market in the Las Condes neighborhood, is within spitting distance of at least three hypermarkets.
Cracks in the Armor
Adams calls an "unbelievable plateau." But Adams and his colleagues aren't planning on just kicking back and enjoying the scenery (although with seven national parks within spitting distance, they have some of the most spectacular scenery on earth to enjoy).
Coming Up Roses
Situated almost within spitting distance of Petrobras' international headquarters; it is permanent home to Colker's administration and production staff as well as a complete storage and rehearsal facility.
A Big Wheel From Brazil
Within spitting distance of the church now stand the Lawndale Community Development Corporation, which renovates homes and capitalizes small businesses, and the Lawndale Community Health Clinic, which serves 4,000 patients each month.
The Triumphs of Joseph: How Today's Community Healers Are Reviving Our Streets and Neighborhoods
The trouble - at least as far as southern Mexicans were concerned - was that all three were within spitting distance of the U.S.
One Mexico, divided
As I got within spitting distance of the man himself, my eyes suddenly managed to focus and I realised it was Gail Porter.
BRIEF ENCOUNTERS OF THE SHOWBIZ KIND; Halina Watts' Saturday down the showbiz rabbit hole; WATTS the GOSS
Situated in Clifton Avenue, it's a short hop from Wallsend's shopping centre, half a mile from the Metro Station and within spitting distance of Richardson Dees Park.
FAMILY CARS COME DEARER THAN THIS; WRECK OF THE