⭐ So Near and Yet So Far: The Almost-Achievable Notions ⭐
so near and yet so far — This phrase perfectly encapsulates the experience of spotting your dream dessert in the refrigerator only to realize it’s encased in a glass container, guarded like the crown jewels! 🤯
Definition:
Just when you think you have everything within your grasp, circumstances remind you that you’re not quite there yet. Despite being in close proximity, the desired outcome remains out of reach. Originated from the Roman writer Martial’s Epigrams and gained popularity in English, especially through Tennyson’s melancholic reflection in “In Memoriam” (1850).
Related Terms:
- Close but no cigar: Almost winning but ultimately failing.😩
- One step forward, two steps back: Making progress, only to face setbacks.
- On the verge: Almost there, tantalizingly close.
Proverbs:
- “The opera ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings.” - It’s not over yet, affairs may change.
- “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” - Don’t plan based on assumptions as plans might not come to fruition.
Similar Expressions:
- It’s within spitting distance: Grossly put, but vividly describes something extremely close!
- The light at the end of the tunnel: You’re so close to finishing a long journey.
Books & Literature Recommendations:
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: A saga of one’s dreams just within reach but always slightly elusive.
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: The struggle against forces that keep one’s achievements just out of reach.
Films & Movies Suggestions:
- The Pursuit of Happyness: Road of near misses until ultimate success.
- La La Land: The almost-there moments in a romantic pursuit.
Songs & Poems:
- “So Close” by Jon McLaughlin from the Enchanted soundtrack: A serenade of missed opportunities in love.
- Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”: An ode to the almost chosen paths and the ramifications of choices just missed.
Quiz Time 🎉
As Swedish Proverb says, “Those who wish to sing always find a song.” Sometimes it’s okay if things feel so near and yet so far. That bittersweet feeling can inspire resilience, creativity, and patience. So keep adventuring forward and keep a positive vibe!
Warm regards,
E. N. Grets
