by inches

Idioms  

1. Also, inch by inch. Gradually, bit by bit, as in We found ourselves in rush hour traffic, moving by inches. Shakespeare used this term in Coriolanus (5:4): “They'll give him death by inches.” Despite the increasing use of metric measurements, it survives, often as an exaggeration of the actual circumstance. The phrase to inch along, first recorded in 1812, means “to move bit by bit,” as in There was a long line at the theater, just inching along.

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Example Sentences

His eagle putt missed by inches, but he tapped in for his third straight red number.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025

Mullins led off with a bunt single when the ball rolled dead on the dirt about halfway to third base, fair by inches.

From Washington Times • Sep. 14, 2023

A homer by Met Lee Mazzilli in the eighth that by inches cleared the 316-foot wall in left field tied it.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 30, 2023

It uses an efficient rolling road block of police motorbikes and cars to bookend the peloton and team vehicles, all of which whizz by, inches from spectators.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2023

A jet of red light zips into the cabin and misses her by inches.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas