Few and far between Meaning in English
expression
ˈfju/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈfɑɹ/ /bitˈwin/, /bɪtˈwin
FYOO and FAR bit-WEEN
fjˈuː/ /ˈænd/ /fˈɑː/ /bɪtwˈiːn
FYOO and FAR bit-WEEN
Definition
If something is few and far between, it happens very rarely or exists in very small numbers.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiomatic and somewhat formal phrase, mostly used in writing or careful speech. It describes things that are rare or not commonly found. Not used with countable, everyday items—better for jobs, opportunities, genuine friends, etc.
Spanish: pocos y distantes entre sí - muy escasosPortuguese (BR): raros - poucos e distantes entre siPortuguese (PT): raros - poucos e distantes entre siChinese (Simplified): 凤毛麟角 - 非常稀少Chinese (Traditional): 鳳毛麟角 - 非常稀少Hindi: बहुत ही कम - नौकरियाँ इधर-उधरArabic: قليل ونادر - نادر جدًاBengali: নেগণা - বিরলRussian: редки - большая редкостьJapanese: ごくまれ - めったにないVietnamese: hiếm khi xảy ra - rất hiếmKorean: 드물다 - 거의 없다Turkish: nadir - çok azUrdu: نایاب - بہت کمIndonesian: jarang - sangat jarang
Example Sentences
Opportunities like this are few and far between.
basic
Good teachers are few and far between in some areas.
basic
Chances to travel are few and far between when you're busy.
basic
Restaurants of that quality are few and far between around here.
natural
Jobs in this industry are few and far between these days.
natural
Sorry, genuine apologies like that are few and far between.
natural