What does 'within leaking distance' mean?
Thank you for your great answers!
I was reading a science fiction where the chief commander of an army had a quarrel with his second-in-command and said this to him(angrily, to ask him to follow his orders):
"You are lucky that I let you within the leaking distance of high command!"
So I think it probably has nothing to do with the leakage of gas or liquid(or information since the context didn't mention anything about military intelligence as well).

Question

What does 'within leaking distance' mean?
Thank you for your great answers!
I was reading a science fiction where the chief commander of an army had a quarrel with his second-in-command and said this to him(angrily, to ask him to follow his orders):
"You are lucky that I let you within the leaking distance of high command!"
So I think it probably has nothing to do with the leakage of gas or liquid(or information since the context didn't mention anything about military intelligence as well).

Answer

As the others have said, it depends on context, if you have spelled it correctly.
To show that that is the case - another possibility is related to a 'leak' being urinating. If you are within leaking distance, it means that I could urinate on you - so within a metre or so!

Answer

It's not a standard expression. J. Rios has explained the standard expression that it is based on i.e. within walking distance.

I would guess the same as Wik, but we need to see the context to be sure.

Answer

within walking distance = close-by/ nearby

Answer

It depends on the context.

It probably has something to do with the leakage of gas.
If gas is leaking, people within the vicinity are usually asked to move out until the leak has been found.

So if you are "within leaking distance" you should move out from that area.