1dis·tance 
/ˈdɪstəns/ noun
plural dis·tanc·es /ˈdɪstəns/ noun 1 : the amount of space between two places or things [count] ▪ What is the distance between the Earth and the Sun? ▪ The gas station is a short distance away. ▪ He spotted the group at a distance of one mile. [=he saw the group when they were one mile away from him] [noncount] ▪ Speed is measured in time and distance. ▪ The nearest gas station is some distance away. [=it is not nearby] ▪ Her house is within walking/striking distance of the school. [=she lives very close to the school] — see also long distance, middle distance 2 [singular] : a point or place that is far away from another point or place
▪ She kept the children a safe distance from the road. ▪ The sign was hard to read from a distance. ▪ We followed them at a distance. ▪ He saw a light in the distance. [=he saw a light that was far away] — often used figuratively ▪ After observing politics from a distance for years, I've decided to run for office. ▪ (Brit) The book is better than the movie by some distance. [=the book is much better than the movie] 3 : a state in which people are not involved with or friendly toward each other [singular] ▪ She feels a distance from her brother that wasn't there before. ▪ He heard the distance [=unfriendliness] in her voice. [noncount] ▪ Although they were once good friends, there was now considerable distance between them. ▪ He wants to put distance between himself and his former boss.
▪ She kept the children a safe distance from the road. ▪ The sign was hard to read from a distance. ▪ We followed them at a distance. ▪ He saw a light in the distance. [=he saw a light that was far away] — often used figuratively ▪ After observing politics from a distance for years, I've decided to run for office. ▪ (Brit) The book is better than the movie by some distance. [=the book is much better than the movie]
go the distance also last the distance
: to complete something you have started
▪ Even with an injured elbow, he went/lasted the distance and pitched the rest of the game. ▪ Don't volunteer for the job if you can't go the distance.
▪ Even with an injured elbow, he went/lasted the distance and pitched the rest of the game. ▪ Don't volunteer for the job if you can't go the distance.
keep (someone) at a distance
: to be unfriendly toward (someone)
▪ She always kept her coworkers at a distance.
▪ She always kept her coworkers at a distance.
keep your distance 1 : to stay far enough away from someone or something to be safe
▪ Visitors are told to keep their distance from the monkeys. 2 : to avoid getting involved in something or becoming friendly with someone
▪ He tried to keep his distance from the scandal. ▪ After their break-up, she thought it was wise to keep her distance.
▪ Visitors are told to keep their distance from the monkeys.
▪ He tried to keep his distance from the scandal. ▪ After their break-up, she thought it was wise to keep her distance.
