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At a distance vs In the distance

admin Confusing Phrases

at a distance—

1. not too near:

  • This is where you get truly wonderful views of the Acropolis—seeing it at a distance, the Parthenon grows more impressive.

2. a long way away from smth. in time:

  • Remembering this disaster at a distance, I now feel sure that it was not her fault.

in the distance—far away:

  • A sliver of an island appeared in the distance. The plane made a wide turn and continued its slow descent.