distant memory
Vague recollection from long ago
직역: A memory that is physically far away in space or time.
Use it to describe past events that feel like they happened in a different lifetime.
15초 만에
- A memory that feels far away and lacks specific detail.
- Used to show how much your life has changed over time.
- Describes something that no longer affects your daily life.
뜻
This phrase describes something from your past that feels very far away. It is a memory that is starting to fade or feels like it happened in a different lifetime.
주요 예문
3 / 6Talking about a childhood home
The house where I grew up is now just a distant memory.
The house where I grew up is now just a distant memory.
Discussing a finished project
All those late nights in the office are a distant memory now.
All those late nights in the office are a distant memory now.
Texting about an old habit
Remember when I used to wear neon leggings? Such a distant memory!
Remember when I used to wear neon leggings? Such a distant memory!
문화적 배경
The phrase reflects a Western cultural emphasis on 'moving on' and personal growth. It became widely popularized in literature and songwriting during the 20th century to evoke nostalgia or a sense of closure. In modern business, it is frequently used to describe overcoming past challenges or outdated technologies.
The 'Relief' Factor
Use this phrase when you are happy something is over. It implies that the bad times are so far away they can't hurt you anymore.
Don't be too literal
It doesn't mean you actually forgot the event. It means the *feeling* of the event has faded. You can still remember facts about a 'distant memory'.
15초 만에
- A memory that feels far away and lacks specific detail.
- Used to show how much your life has changed over time.
- Describes something that no longer affects your daily life.
What It Means
Think of a photo that has been sitting in the sun too long. The colors are fading. You can still see the shapes, but the details are gone. That is a distant memory. It refers to an event or a period of your life that no longer feels close or relevant. It is not just about time. It is about how connected you feel to that moment today.
How To Use It
You usually use it with the verb to be. You can say something is a distant memory or has become one. It works perfectly when you are comparing your life now to how it used to be. For example, if you used to smoke but quit ten years ago, that habit is now a distant memory. It feels like it happened to a different person entirely.
When To Use It
Use this when you want to emphasize how much things have changed. It is great for talking about childhood, old jobs, or ex-partners. You can also use it for shared experiences. Maybe a difficult project at work is finally finished. Now that the stress is gone, the long nights are just a distant memory. It brings a sense of relief or nostalgia to the conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for something that happened yesterday. If you forgot where you put your keys this morning, that is not a distant memory. That is just being forgetful! Also, avoid using it for very traumatic events if you are speaking to someone who is still hurting. It can sound like you are saying the event is "over" or "unimportant," which might feel dismissive. Keep it for things that truly feel far away.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, we love talking about progress. We use distant memory to show we have moved on. It is often used in advertising too. A company might promise that "back pain will be a distant memory" if you buy their mattress. It suggests a clean break from the past. It is a very poetic way to describe the passage of time without being too dramatic.
Common Variations
You might hear people say a faint memory or a vague memory. These focus more on the lack of detail. Distant memory is special because it focuses on the distance in time. You can also say something is fading into a distant memory. This means the process is happening right now. It is like watching a ship sail away until you can't see it anymore.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is very flexible and fits into almost any conversation level. It is slightly more evocative than just saying 'a long time ago.'
The 'Relief' Factor
Use this phrase when you are happy something is over. It implies that the bad times are so far away they can't hurt you anymore.
Don't be too literal
It doesn't mean you actually forgot the event. It means the *feeling* of the event has faded. You can still remember facts about a 'distant memory'.
Song Lyrics
You will hear this phrase in many English songs. It is a favorite for songwriters because it sounds poetic and slightly sad.
예시
6The house where I grew up is now just a distant memory.
The house where I grew up is now just a distant memory.
Expresses a sense of nostalgia for a place not visited in years.
All those late nights in the office are a distant memory now.
All those late nights in the office are a distant memory now.
Shows relief that a stressful period is finally over.
Remember when I used to wear neon leggings? Such a distant memory!
Remember when I used to wear neon leggings? Such a distant memory!
Used to laugh at past fashion choices.
Our high school graduation feels like a distant memory, doesn't it?
Our high school graduation feels like a distant memory, doesn't it?
A common way to start a conversation about the 'good old days'.
With our new software, manual data entry will be a distant memory.
With our new software, manual data entry will be a distant memory.
Used to promise a better future by erasing a current problem.
My time living in London feels like a distant memory since I moved back.
My time living in London feels like a distant memory since I moved back.
Describes how a change in location changes your perspective on the past.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best word to complete the phrase about a long-lost summer vacation.
The three months I spent in Italy ten years ago are now a ___ memory.
While 'far' means distance, 'distant memory' is the fixed collocation used for time.
Complete the sentence to show that a problem has been solved.
Now that the car is fixed, the breakdown is a ___ memory.
We use 'distant memory' to emphasize that a past trouble no longer feels real or present.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'Distant Memory'
Chatting with friends about old times.
My ex? He's a distant memory.
Standard conversation or storytelling.
The old factory is a distant memory.
Literature or professional speeches.
The economic crisis is now a distant memory.
When to use 'Distant Memory'
Childhood
Old school days
Marketing
Solving a customer's pain
Relationships
Moving on from an ex
Travel
A trip from years ago
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it just means the memory is no longer vivid. You might remember the event happened, but you don't feel the same emotions you did back then.
Yes, but it's a bit metaphorical. Saying He is a distant memory means you haven't thought about him or seen him in a very long time.
Absolutely. It is a very professional way to say that an old problem has been solved, like The budget issues are a distant memory.
Distant implies a long time has passed. Vague just means the details are blurry, even if it happened recently.
No, that sounds unnatural. In English, we almost always use distant when talking about memories in this way.
Not necessarily. It can be positive (forgetting a struggle) or slightly sad (losing touch with your childhood).
There is no rule, but usually it refers to years, not weeks. It needs to feel like a different 'chapter' of your life.
That is a different phrase! A distant dream is something you want to happen in the future but seems unlikely.
It is equally common in both. It is a standard idiom across the English-speaking world.
No, it only applies to thoughts or time periods. You wouldn't call an old toy a distant memory, but the *time* you spent playing with it could be one.
관련 표현
Blast from the past
Something that suddenly reminds you of the past.
Vague recollection
A memory that is not clear or detailed.
Fading fast
Something that is being forgotten very quickly.
Ancient history
Something that happened so long ago it is no longer important.
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