Few and Far Between:
At wide intervals; infrequently.
This expression is a delightful nugget from Thomas Campbell’s poem “The Pleasures of Hope” (1799). It sparkles off the page with, “What though my winged hours of bliss have been, like angel-visits, few and far between?” Originally, it was used to describe rare pleasures, though as language evolved, it began to represent any infrequent event.
Similar Terms
- Seldom: Not often; infrequently.
- Rarely: Infrequently; seldom.
- Sporadically: Occurring at irregular intervals.
- Occasionally: At unspecified times; from time to time.
- Once in a blue moon: Very rare occurrence.
Synonyms
- Infrequently
- Scarcely
- Hardly
- Barely
- Sometimes
Antonyms
- Frequently
- Often
- Regularly
- Commonly
- Repeatedly
Quotes
- “True friends are like diamonds – bright, beautiful, valuable, and always in style.” – Nicole Richie
- “Occurrences as rare as honesty among politicians.” – Author Unknown
- “The rarest things in this world, next to a spirit of discernment, are diamonds and pearls.” – Jean de La Bruyère
Proverbs
- “A good horse should be seldom spurred.” – English Proverb
- “Seldom seen, soon forgotten.” – Scottish Proverb
Expressions and Idioms
- For a once-in-a-lifetime experience: A thing that is so rare it may never happen again.
- Like finding a needle in a haystack: Referring to a difficult or impossible search.
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies to Enjoy
- Books: “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- Songs: “Once in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads
- Poetry: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
- Movies: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (2013)
Quiz
### Which phrase accurately describes a rare event?
- [x] Few and far between
- [ ] Often and everywhere
- [ ] Commonplace and frequent
- [ ] Every day and always
> **Explanation:** "Few and far between" perfectly captures the essence of rare events. The others suggest regularity or common occurrence.
### True or False: ‘Once in a blue moon’ signifies frequency.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** ‘Once in a blue moon’ refers to something happening very rarely, not frequently.
### Which synonym fits the idea of being infrequent?
- [ ] Frequently
- [x] Seldom
- [ ] Regularly
- [ ] Commonly
> **Explanation:** "Seldom" is a synonym for infrequent, thus representing something that doesn’t occur often.
### What does 'like finding a needle in a haystack' refer to?
- [ ] Common activities
- [ ] Routine chores
- [x] Rare or impossible searches
- [ ] Daily experiences
> **Explanation:** "Like finding a needle in a haystack" describes something that is incredibly rare or difficult to find.
In closing, as E. L. Quipster might say, “The enchanting rarity of things ‘few and far between’ serves to remind us of the unexpected joys and the delightful unpredictability of life’s most precious moments. Cherish them, for they are like rare gems in the treasure chest of time.”
Happy adventuring into the world of words! 🌟
