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3. within an inch of life

within an inch of life

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within an inch of one's life

Fig. very close to losing one's life; almost to death. The accident frightened me within an inch of my life. When Mary was seriously ill in the hospital, she came within an inch of her life.

See also: inch, life, of, within

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.

See also: inch, life, of, within