From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbe within striking distancebe within striking distanceNEAR a) to be close enough to reach a place easily By now, they were within striking distance of the shore. b) to be very close to achieving something The French team are within striking distance of the world record. → strike
Examples from the Corpus
be within striking distance• He hadn't, but, looking at the map, Branson could see they were within striking distance.• We are within striking distance of our goal.• At least then she would know that the oyster skiffs were within striking distance of the shore.• Besides, we might be within striking distance of the well, a place to camp if necessary. 