Far cry
Meaning
Something is a "far cry" if it is significantly different from, or inferior to, another thing.
Origin
The phrase originates from the literal image of a person's voice traveling a great distance. Imagine someone shouting to a distant listener; the "cry" would be heard only faintly, or not at all, across a "far" expanse, signifying a vast separation. This spatial distance metaphorically evolved to represent a significant difference or disparity between two things, highlighting how remote or unlike one thing is from another, much like two people who cannot hear each other's "cry" due to the intervening distance. The phrase became common in the 19th century to express such a strong contrast.
Examples
- Her first attempt at baking was a far cry from the delicious cake her grandmother made.
- The quiet rural town was a far cry from the bustling city life he was accustomed to.