a far cry (from)
noun phrase

- a long distance
- something notably different

Merriam-Webster

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ORIGIN

The phrase "within cry" has been used since the 1600’s to mean “close enough to be heard,” and "far cry" came along in the mid-1800’s, meaning “too far away to be heard”, or a figuratively long distance away.

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The word “cry” is often used to mean weeping, or shouting or making noise.

Back in the days, the town crier shouted out news whilst ringing a bell, and in mountainous regions, people would often shout across a valley to one another.

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SYNONYMS

beyond range, faraway, afar, the far yonder, far off, far removed, out of the way, miles away, a good way away, far flung, at the end of the rainbow

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"Lost in a strange city, nowhere to turn,
FAR CRY from the streets that I came from,
It can get lonely."

Van Morrison

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Practice OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“Our office is a far cry from the train station, so you’d better call a cab.”

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Paul Smith