few and far between

Idioms and Phrases

At wide intervals, scarce, as in Supporters of the amendment are few and far between . This expression originally was used very literally for physical objects such as houses appearing at widely separated intervals. Today it is also used more loosely. [Mid-1600s]

Example Sentences

Yet there is the perennial frustration in the northern hemisphere - for England in particular - that competitive matches, those appetite-whetting encounters featuring the world's best players, are so few and far between.

From BBC

Those mop moments are few and far between.

From Los Angeles Times

If the Democrats want to hold control of the Senate, however, the opportunities to do so are few and far between.

From BBC

Some states have laws to protect spouses, but most incidents are handled as civil matters and penalties are few and far between.

From Salon

Residents typically shy away from speaking openly about their politics, and political yard signs are few and far between.

From BBC

Related Words

• extraordinary
• limited
• occasional
• scarce
• singular
• strange
• subtle
• uncommon
• unique
• unlikely
• unthinkable
• unusual