striking distance

plural striking distances

1. countableuncountablegovernmentA distance at which a soldier, military force, vessel, etc. is sufficiently near to be able to attack an opponent.

   The two brigades at either end of the Boer lines had lost no chance of pushing in, and now they had come within striking distance.

   1900, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “Paardeberg”, in The Great Boer War, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC, page 337

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   "Nay, sir, a soldier, who is about to be posted within striking distance of his enemy, can never speak, with confidence, of separations that are to be short."

   1845, James Fenimore Cooper, chapter 19, in Satanstoe

2. countablefigurativelyuncountableA distance at which one is sufficiently near to an objective to have an opportunity to achieve it.

   I'm working on an invention of a new aeroplane stabilizer, and if I go now it will be just at a time when I am within striking distance of success.

   1917, Victor Appleton, chapter 4, in Tom Swift in the Land of Wonders

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   The probe breakthrough confirmed that French and British tunnelers were within striking distance of completing the first tunnel under the English Channel.

   1990 November 12, Christopher Redman et al., “Europe An Island No More Hello! Allo!”, in Time