Few and far between

Meaning

Scarce or rare.

Usage

Used to stress rarity.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Archaic phrasing describing distant and sparse objects.

Recorded in English from the late 18th century.