Question

Select the correct meaning of the underlined phrase or idiom.
Our school is within a stone’s throw from the railway station.
a)Within a certain radius
b)At a short distance
c)Within a definite circumference
d)Very far off

Answer 1

Hint: An idiom refers to a group of words or a phrase that has a different meaning from the literal meaning of its words.

Complete step-by-step answer:

 Within a stone’s throw refers to having a very short distance between two locations or being situated near a location. This idiom was introduced in the 1500s but was famously used in 1712 by John Arbuthnot in The History of John Bull.
Now, Let’s look at this idiom’s usage:
Example- The airport is a stone’s throw away from his house. Here, we can understand that the airport is very near to X’s house.
Let’s examine the given options:
a)Within a certain radius- Radius refers to a line from the center to the circumference of a circle. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
b)At a short distance- It refers to something situated in a short-range. It has the same meaning as the given idiom. Hence, it is the correct option.
c)Within a definite circumference- Circumference refers to the edge of a curved figure. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
d)Very far off- It means to have a great distance between two locations. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
The correct answer is Option ‘b’.

Note: There is no fixed distance that constitutes a stone’s throw. The words used to describe the distance ‘close’ and ‘near’, do not refer to a specified amount.