📖 Meaning
A distance equal to the range of a single arrow shot. It is used figuratively to describe a place that is not far away, just a short distance off.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Chapter 90 of the Ming dynasty novel 'Water Margin' (《水浒全传》) by Shi Nai'an. In the scene, Song Jiang mounts his horse and rides ahead, while the group of vanguard leaders have already gone about an arrow's shot ahead of him. When they notice Song Jiang has stopped to talk with Guan Zhong, they rein in their horses and wait respectfully. The phrase captures the practical measure of distance familiar in pre-modern martial culture.
💡 Example Usage
那家茶馆离这儿不过一箭之地，我们走过去吧。
That teahouse is just a stone's throw from here, let's walk over.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 一箭之地
- Pinyin: yī jiàn zhī dì
- Literal Translation: one, arrow, of, ground
- Category: Distance
- Characters: 4