They were almost 'within striking distance' of their goal. = Their goal was almost 'within striking distance'. [=they were close to achieving their goal]
He spotted the group 'at a distance of' one mile. [=he saw the group when they were one mile away from him]
('Brit') The book is better than the movie 'by some distance'. [=the book is much better than the movie]
(..) with this melon? Get that dog! Mr. Peabody, how did you escape? It's simple, Sherman. I noticed the distance between the sewer lids... directly under the guillotine platform... noted the loose board under the basket... (..)2014 Mr. Peabody & Sherman