It is a Far Cry – बहुत दूर की बात है Meaning & Explanation

The idiom “It is a far cry” is used to describe something that is very different or distant from what was expected or desired. It is often used when comparing two things that are completely different, or when something is far from reaching a certain goal or standard.

Refers to a significant difference or distance
Used to describe something that is far from what is expected
Expresses the idea that something is vastly different from a particular expectation
Often used when comparing two things that are noticeably different

Hindi Equivalent:
“बहुत दूर की बात है”
(यह वाक्य तब कहा जाता है जब किसी चीज़ को अपेक्षित या वांछित परिणाम से बहुत दूर पाया जाता है।)

Detailed Explanation
The phrase “It is a far cry” originated from the idea of a “cry” being something that is audible from a great distance. Over time, it evolved to represent something that is so distant or different from the intended idea or expectation that it seems almost impossible to bridge the gap.

When someone uses this idiom, they’re usually highlighting how far something is from their expectations or the desired outcome. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts. If something is “a far cry” from what was hoped for, it implies that the result or situation is very disappointing or not what was anticipated.

Common Contexts for Using the Idiom:

• Comparing two very different things: Used when comparing two things that are significantly different from each other.
• Expressing disappointment or difference from expectations: When something turns out to be far different from what was expected.
• Indicating a large gap between two things: It can be used to show a noticeable gap, whether in quality, effort, or results.
• Talking about unattainable goals: It can express the idea that a certain goal or achievement is very far off or unattainable at the moment.

Real-Life Examples

In a Work Setting
English: “The result of this project is a far cry from what we expected. We need to reassess our strategy.”
Hindi: “इस प्रोजेक्ट का परिणाम हमारी उम्मीदों से बहुत दूर है। हमें अपनी रणनीति पर फिर से विचार करना होगा।”

In a Family Situation
English: “Her attitude today is a far cry from how she was yesterday.”
Hindi: “आज उसका रवैया कल से बहुत अलग है।”

In Personal Growth
English: “I wanted to finish the book by this week, but it’s a far cry from where I am right now.”
Hindi: “मैं इस हफ्ते तक किताब खत्म करना चाहता था, लेकिन मैं जहां हूँ, वहां से यह बहुत दूर है।”

Psychological & Social Insight

Why This Phrase Matters:
✓ Highlights Discrepancy or Disappointment: It helps point out a significant difference between expectation and reality.
✓ Facilitates Comparisons: By expressing how far something is from a standard, it helps in making comparisons clearer.
✓ Encourages Realistic Expectations: This idiom often serves as a reminder to adjust one’s expectations when the reality is far from what was anticipated.
✓ Expresses a Gap in Achievements: It can point out where something fell short in an achievement or goal, pushing for improvement.

When to Use This Phrase:
When something is far from what you expected or desired.
When making a comparison that highlights a significant difference.
When you want to express disappointment or realization that a goal is far off.
In situations where the outcome is much different than anticipated, either positively or negatively.

Usage Tips
Tone of Surprise or Disappointment: When using this idiom, the tone should convey the surprise or disappointment at how far something is from the expectation.
Use in Comparisons: This phrase works best when comparing two things that are vastly different or when measuring progress against a goal.
Be Cautious with Positivity: While the idiom can sometimes be used in a positive context (e.g., the progress is a far cry from where we started), it typically conveys a sense of distance or difference that may not always be favorable.

Similar Expressions

English	Hindi
“A world apart”	“आसमान और ज़मीन का अंतर”
“A far-off dream”	“एक बहुत दूर का सपना”
“Far removed from”	“बहुत अलग है”
“A long way from”	“बहुत दूर है”

Cultural Perspectives
Western View: In Western cultures, “It is a far cry” is often used to express how distant something is from a goal or expectation. It’s commonly used when comparing two things, such as work performance or life situations.
Indian Context: In India, this idiom is used in casual conversation to express that something is very different from expectations, often to emphasize the difficulty in reaching a certain goal. The phrase “बहुत दूर की बात है” captures the essence of this idiom by indicating a significant gap between expectation and reality.
Global Relevance: The idiom has global relevance as it helps explain and highlight the differences in situations, whether in personal, professional, or cultural contexts. It’s used universally to express that something is far off from an intended target.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the reality was a “far cry” from your expectations? How did you handle it?
• When making comparisons, do you often use phrases like “a far cry” to emphasize the difference?
• How can you adjust your expectations to avoid disappointment when something turns out to be “a far cry” from what you anticipated?