English idiom

few and far between

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

rare and separated by long intervals or distances

Why this phrase?

The few available examples are pictured as standing a long distance apart.

Example

“Affordable apartments near the campus are few and far between.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

every last

all members or items in a group, with no exceptions at all

a dime a dozen

So common as to be of little value.

bits and bobs

a mixed group of small, unrelated items or leftover pieces

cost the earth

to be extraordinarily expensive

far and away

By a very large margin, especially when one option or person clearly surpasses the rest.

for good measure

as an extra addition beyond what is strictly necessary

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

markdown