within\ an\ inch\ of

within\ an\ inch\ of
• within an inch of informal
• within an inch of
adv. phr.
Almost but not quite; very close to; nearly.

Tim came within an ace of losing the election.

John was within an inch of drowning before he was pulled out of the water.

Compare: by the skin of one's teeth

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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  • within an inch of — phrasal : almost to the point of : nearly to : very near broke down when we were within an inch of our destination came within an inch of death * * * within an inch of Very close to • • • Main Entry: ↑inch * * * very close to her mouth was within …   Useful english dictionary

  • within an inch of — phrasal almost to the point of < came within an inch of succeeding > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • within an inch of one's life — {adv. phr.} Until you are almost dead; near to dying. * /The bear clawed the hunter within an inch of his life./ Often used after to . * /The prize fighter was beaten to within an inch of his life./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • within an inch of one's life — {adv. phr.} Until you are almost dead; near to dying. * /The bear clawed the hunter within an inch of his life./ Often used after to . * /The prize fighter was beaten to within an inch of his life./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • within an inch of something doing something — within an ˈinch of sth/of doing sth idiom very close to sth/doing sth • She was within an inch of being killed. • They beat him (to) within an inch of his life (= very severely). Main entry: ↑inch …   Useful english dictionary

  • within an inch of of doing something — within an ˈinch of sth/of doing sth idiom very close to sth/doing sth • She was within an inch of being killed. • They beat him (to) within an inch of his life (= very severely). Main entry: ↑inch …   Useful english dictionary

  • within an inch of your life — within an inch of (your/its) life nearly completely. Caroline hoped the information she had would frighten Mr. Mott within an inch of his life …   New idioms dictionary

  • within an inch of its life — within an inch of (your/its) life nearly completely. Caroline hoped the information she had would frighten Mr. Mott within an inch of his life …   New idioms dictionary

  • within an inch of life — within an inch of (your/its) life nearly completely. Caroline hoped the information she had would frighten Mr. Mott within an inch of his life …   New idioms dictionary

  • within an inch of someone's life — To the point where there is danger of death • • • Main Entry: ↑inch …   Useful english dictionary

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