Dictionary

country mile en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• /ˌkʌntɹi ˈmaɪl/

Etymology

Often ascribed to the fact that a mile walked in the countryside may appear longer than a mile in built-up areas as visual impressions are less varied. However, texts from the 18th century (see citations page) attest the use of (other) country miles as an umbrella term for miles other than the imperial English mile. This use provides a more plausible explanation of the sense because some continental European miles were considerably longer (e.g., 1 Prussian mile equalled about 4½ imperial miles).

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, informal) A long way, a great distance.
   • But the passengers we spoke to seemed very happy with the trains - and yes, they are an improvement on the Class 170 by a country mile. 2023 April 5, Pip Dunn, “'196s' giving commuters a smoother ride”, in RAIL, number 980, page 57:
   • For your smile / I'd walk a country mile, yeah / For one touch of your hand / I'd crawl the desert sand, oh yeah 1976, Jermaine Jackson, “My Touch Of Madness”, in My Name Is Jermaine:
   • ’Twas long indeed, a country mile; 1829, Frederick de Kruger, “The Villager’s Tale.”, in The Pirate, and Other Poems, London, England, United Kingdom: Liddell and Son, page 63:
   • by a country mile
   • Once I got in gear and took off, I was the only car left! I won by a country mile, Bro! 2004, Intelligent Systems, translated by Nintendo of America, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Nintendo, GameCube, level/area: Rogueport:
   • I liked to imagine that my father had been a pretty fair country ballplayer who didn't pay attention to his batting average but could hit the ball a country mile and run like the wind. 2000, Steve Holt, A Day at the Ballpark, Xlibris, page 13:

Forms