Few and Far Between – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever looked for a parking spot in a busy city and found none for blocks? Or tried to find a truly honest review online—and came up empty? In English, you can say those good spots or honest reviews are few and far between. This vivid idiom means something is very rare, scattered, or hard to find—so uncommon that you might go a long time without seeing another one.
What Does “Few and Far Between” Mean?
“Few and far between” describes things that are extremely scarce or occur very infrequently. It emphasizes not just small quantity (“few”), but also wide gaps in time or space (“far between”). Think of trees in a desert—so rare you walk miles before seeing the next one. The phrase is always used in the plural form and usually follows a noun or appears after a linking verb like “are.”
When to Use It
Use “few and far between” in reflective, descriptive, or slightly critical conversations:
• When talking about rare opportunities: “Good mentors are few and far between.”
• In everyday observations: “Quiet weekends are few and far between with three kids!”
• When critiquing quality or availability: “Honest politicians seem few and far between these days.”
It’s neutral—common in speaking, writing, news, and thoughtful commentary. Avoid it for things that are merely uncommon; it’s for near-rarities.
Example Sentences
- Truly kind people are few and far between.
- During tourist season, empty beaches are few and far between.
- Jobs that pay well and offer flexibility are still few and far between.
- He’s had a few lucky breaks, but they’re few and far between.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did you find any affordable apartments?”
Jamie: “Not really. Decent ones under $1,500 are few and far between.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “few and far between” with singular nouns—it’s always plural. Also, never change the order to “far and few between” or drop “and.” The phrase is fixed: “few and far between.” And remember: it’s not about total absence—it’s about extreme scarcity with occasional appearances.
❌ Don’t say: “A good mechanic is few and far between.”
✅ Do say: “Good mechanics are few and far between.”
✅ Do say: “Moments of peace are few and far between these days.”
Practice Tip
Next time you notice something truly rare—honest feedback, quiet mornings, or free parking—say: “These are few and far between.” Using the phrase when scarcity is real builds accurate, natural fluency.
Final Note
Now you can use “few and far between” to describe life’s rare gems—or frustrating gaps—with precision and color. It’s a phrase full of quiet realism, used by native speakers when something valuable is hard to find. Keep listening for it in shows, news, and honest chats. You’re not just learning English—you’re learning how people name rarity with rhythm. Keep going—you’ve got this!