by inches

idiom

: by a small amount, distance, or degree
The bullet missed my head by inches.

Examples of by inches in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ball missed Ronan Wynne’s head by inches before falling to an open Elie Kisoka for a nice one-touch goal with 13 seconds to play. Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024 For an election that will be decided by inches and in which, according to Pew Research, 17% of U.S. adults own crypto, Democrats have let Trump come in and claim the issue as his own. Laura Shin, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024 Kraft caught the pass in the left flat, rumbled to the endzone and broke the plane by inches before his elbow hit the ground. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 The game ended in frustrating manner as Trinity Rodman, the game’s standout player for the US, took one last shot from outside the box and missed the top corner by inches. Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 16 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for by inches 

Dictionary Entries Near by inches

Cite this Entry

“By inches.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20inches. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!