рукой подать

• РУКОЙ ПОДАТЬ coll

[VP; infin only; usu. impers predic; less often, subj-compl with copula; fixed WO]

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1. рукой подать (от чего до чего) [when used as subj-compl, subj: a geographical name or a noun denoting a specific site or location]

⇒ (some place is) very close by, a short distance away:

- (от X-a) до Y-а рукой подать{{}}≈ it's (just) a stoned throw (from X) to Y;

- Y is (just <within>) a stoned throw from X;

- Y is (it's) (just) a stoned throw away;

- Y is within spitting distance of X.

     ♦ "Поедем к ореху, а там и до Сандро рукой подать", - сказал Махты (Искандер 3). "Let's go to the walnut tree, it's just a stone's throw from there to Sandro's," Makhty said (3a).

2. рукой подать (до чего) [when used as subj-compl, subj: a noun denoting an important event, holiday, season, month etc]

⇒ some event (holiday etc) is very near in time, soon to come:

- до X-a рукой подать{{}}≈ X is close (near) at hand;

- X is just around the corner.

     ♦ До праздников рукой подать, пора начинать готовиться. The holidays are just around the corner. It's time to start preparing for them.