spitting distance
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noun
a short space or distance
QUIZZES
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Words nearby spitting distance
spitsticker, spit take, Spitteler, spitter, spitting cobra, spitting distance, spitting image, spitting snake, spittle, spittlebug, spittle insect
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Example sentences from the Web for spitting distance
Idioms and Phrases with spitting distance
spitting distance
A very short distance, as in We were in spitting distance of winning the pennant but then we lost three games in a row. Alluding to the relatively short distance over which one's spit will carry, this idiom was first recorded in 1895 as within spitting range.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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