Out of range
Meaning
Beyond the effective or designated distance for communication, a weapon, or a sensor to function or interact.
Origin
The concept of something being 'out of range' is as old as projectile weapons and long-distance communication. However, the phrase's widespread modern usage, particularly in its precise, technical sense, solidified with the advent of advanced 20th-century technologies. The development of radio communication, radar systems, and precision firearms during the World Wars and beyond made 'range' a critical metric—the maximum effective distance for a device or action. Being 'out of range' thus became a common term to describe a specific functional limit, rather than just being 'far away,' rapidly migrating from military and engineering jargon into the broader lexicon to describe any situation beyond reach or capability.
Examples
- My phone signal kept dropping because I was driving through areas that were out of range of the nearest cell tower.
- The scout reported that the enemy encampment was still out of range for their artillery, requiring further advance.