in hearing distance
Close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I was in hearing distance when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while they're in hearing distance.
within hearing distance
Close enough to clearly hear what someone says or does. They didn't realize I was within hearing distance when they were discussing my performance in school. Let's step outside—I don't want to fight while they're within hearing distance.
in/within (somebody’s) ˈhearing
near enough to somebody so that they can hear what is said: She shouldn’t have said such things in your hearing.