COUNTRY MILE Meaning and
Definition
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Country mile is a colloquial expression used to describe a significant distance or gap, usually emphasizing the considerable length involved. This phrase is typically found in regions and contexts where rural imagery is prevalent. The term country in this context refers to a rural or countryside setting, often used to contrast with the idea of a city or suburban area. The word mile, on the other hand, serves as a unit of measurement used to quantify the extent of the distance or discrepancy being discussed.
When someone mentions a country mile, they are suggesting that the distance or difference under consideration is vast, significant, and often unexpected. It conveys the idea that the recognized length or disparity exceeds the usual or anticipated parameters. This phrase is frequently implemented in a figurative manner rather than an exact quantification, emphasizing the perception of a great magnitude rather than an exact measurement in miles.
The usage of country mile is often found in idiomatic expressions, such as "I miss her by a country mile," indicating a substantial level of emotional longing. Alternatively, it can imply an extensive physical duration, such as "The journey lasted a country mile," emphasizing a lengthy trip. In such scenarios, the use of country mile serves to underscore the large, sometimes exaggerated extent of the specific situation being discussed.
Common Misspellings for COUNTRY MILE
- xountry mile
- vountry mile
- fountry mile
- dountry mile
- ciuntry mile
- ckuntry mile
- cluntry mile
- cpuntry mile
- c0untry mile
- c9untry mile
- coyntry mile
- cohntry mile
- cojntry mile
- cointry mile
- co8ntry mile
- co7ntry mile
- coubtry mile
- coumtry mile
- coujtry mile
- couhtry mile
- countrymile
Etymology of COUNTRY MILE
The phrase "country mile" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a long distance, often emphasizing the vastness or remoteness of the area being referred to. The etymology of the term is not entirely clear, but it likely originates from 19th-century America.
The word "mile" in "country mile" obviously refers to the standard unit of length used in most English-speaking countries. However, the addition of "country" in the phrase is what adds a sense of exaggeration or emphasis.
One theory suggests that the term originated in rural areas, where the distances between towns or landmarks were often much greater than in urban areas. The comparison between the vast distances in the countryside and shorter distances in the city might have led to the use of "country mile" as a metaphor.
Idioms with the word COUNTRY MILE
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a country mile
The idiom "a country mile" refers to a significant distance or measurement that is considerably longer or greater than an average or expected distance. It implies that something is considerably further away or larger in scale than anticipated or compared to a typical measure.
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country mile
The idiom "country mile" is used to refer to a long distance or a substantial amount, often indicating that something is far away or greatly surpasses something else in terms of size or distance. It can also suggest that something is better or farther-reaching than another option.
