distant past
Long ago
حرفيًا: Far away past
Use it to describe old events that feel far away from your current life or reality.
في 15 ثانية
- Refers to events from a very long time ago.
- Creates a sense of mystery or significant time gaps.
- Used for history, old memories, or outdated habits.
المعنى
This phrase describes a time that happened a very long time ago. It feels like the events are far away, almost like a different world or a forgotten chapter of history.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Talking about history
In the distant past, this entire valley was covered by a massive glacier.
Long ago, this whole valley was covered by a giant glacier.
Reflecting on childhood
My days of playing professional football are in the distant past now.
My time playing pro football was a long time ago.
A business meeting
That old software version belongs to the distant past; we use AI now.
That old software is from a long time ago; we use AI now.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase reflects a Western linear view of time, where the past is a physical space behind us. It gained significant traction in the 19th century as archaeology and geology began revealing how truly old the Earth is. It is often used in English-speaking cultures to create a polite distance from old mistakes or outdated traditions.
The 'Dim' Trick
If you want to sound like a native storyteller, add the word 'dim'. Saying 'the dim and distant past' makes it sound like the memory is fading away.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for things that happened 2 years ago, people might think you are being sarcastic or have a very bad memory!
في 15 ثانية
- Refers to events from a very long time ago.
- Creates a sense of mystery or significant time gaps.
- Used for history, old memories, or outdated habits.
What It Means
Distant past is a poetic way to say a long time ago. It suggests a gap in time so large that memories feel fuzzy. Think of it like looking at a mountain through a thick fog. You know it is there, but the details are hard to see. It is not just about years; it is about the feeling of separation.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a noun to set the scene. Usually, you will say in the distant past. It works perfectly when you want to sound a bit more dramatic than just saying 'years ago'. Use it when talking about history, old family stories, or even your own childhood if you feel particularly old today. It adds a touch of mystery and scale to your storytelling.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing ancient civilizations or dinosaurs. It is great for business meetings when talking about old company policies that no longer exist. You can also use it when catching up with an old friend. If you are looking at a photo from ten years ago, say, "That feels like the distant past!" It helps emphasize how much your life has changed since then.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for things that happened last week or last month. If you forgot to buy milk yesterday, that is not the distant past. Using it for recent events makes you sound sarcastic or very confused. Also, avoid it in very short, urgent texts. It is a bit too 'wordy' for a quick "Where are you?" message. Keep it for moments of reflection.
Cultural Background
English speakers love to use distance to describe time. We treat time like a physical road. Things that are 'close' are recent, and things that are 'distant' are old. This phrase became very popular in Victorian literature. Writers loved the romantic feeling of looking back at history. Today, it is a staple in documentaries and storytelling to create a sense of awe.
Common Variations
You might hear people say the remote past or the dim and distant past. Adding dim makes it sound even more mysterious and forgotten. Some people just say way back when in very casual talk. However, distant past remains the most balanced version. It is elegant but still easy for everyone to understand.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is neutral and works in almost any setting. Just be careful not to use it for very recent events unless you are trying to be funny.
The 'Dim' Trick
If you want to sound like a native storyteller, add the word 'dim'. Saying 'the dim and distant past' makes it sound like the memory is fading away.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for things that happened 2 years ago, people might think you are being sarcastic or have a very bad memory!
The 'Clean Slate' Secret
Politicians often use this phrase to talk about their old mistakes. It makes the mistake sound so old that it shouldn't matter anymore.
أمثلة
6In the distant past, this entire valley was covered by a massive glacier.
Long ago, this whole valley was covered by a giant glacier.
Used here to describe geological time scales.
My days of playing professional football are in the distant past now.
My time playing pro football was a long time ago.
Shows a personal change over a long period.
That old software version belongs to the distant past; we use AI now.
That old software is from a long time ago; we use AI now.
Used to show that something is outdated.
Don't worry about him, he's a ghost from the distant past!
Don't worry about him, he is from a long time ago!
A slightly dramatic way to say someone is no longer relevant.
I think I went to the gym once in the distant past, but I might have dreamed it.
I think I went to the gym a long time ago, but maybe I dreamed it.
Using 'distant past' for something that wasn't actually that long ago for humor.
Our ancestors moved here from Europe in the distant past.
Our ancestors moved here from Europe a long time ago.
Commonly used when the exact date is unknown.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the best word to complete the phrase.
The invention of the wheel happened in the ___ past.
`Distant past` is the standard English collocation for this meaning.
Complete the sentence to show something is very old.
That fashion trend is from the ___ ___.
This phrase emphasizes that the trend is no longer current and happened long ago.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Distant Past'
Using 'way back' or 'back in the day'.
That was way back when!
The standard use of 'distant past'.
It happened in the distant past.
Using 'antiquity' or 'bygone eras'.
Relics from a bygone era.
Where to use 'Distant Past'
Museum Visit
Dinosaurs lived in the distant past.
Old Memories
My high school years feel like the distant past.
Tech Updates
Dial-up internet is in the distant past.
Storytelling
In the dim and distant past, there was a king...
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةThere is no fixed number! It can mean 20 years for a person or 2,000 years for a historian. It is about the feeling of time.
You can, but distant past is much more common. Far past sounds a bit unnatural to native ears.
Yes, it is very common in academic essays and formal reports to describe historical events.
The opposite is the recent past. You use this for things that happened a few days or months ago.
In the phrase in the distant past, 'past' is the noun and 'distant' is the adjective describing it.
Not really. You wouldn't say a person is 'distant past,' but you can say your relationship with them is in the distant past.
Not always, but it implies that the event is no longer affecting your life right now.
Usually, we use 'the' because there is only one past. You would say the distant past.
They are similar, but ancient history is often used as a joke to mean 'I don't care about that anymore'.
Long ago is an adverb, while distant past is a noun phrase. You use them differently in sentences.
عبارات ذات صلة
Recent past
Events that happened very lately.
Ancient history
Something so old it is no longer relevant.
Back in the day
A casual way to talk about a time in one's youth.
Bygone era
A formal way to describe a period of time that has ended.
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