by inches

• Idiomatischer Ausdruck, der bedeutet, dass etwas allmählich, nach und nach oder in sehr kleinen Schritten geschieht; wird oft verwendet, um einen langsamen Veränderungs- oder Bewegungsprozess zu beschreiben.

An idiomatic expression meaning gradually, little by little, or by very small degrees, often used to describe a slow process of change or movement.

1. Very slowly or graduallyB2informal

   Moving or progressing by very small increments, often used to describe a slow, painful, or careful process.

   Zentimeter für Zentimeter

   • The rescue team moved the boulder by inches.
   • His health improved by inches after the surgery.
   • The negotiations advanced by inches, with each side making tiny concessions.

2. Narrowly or barelyB2informal

   By a very small margin or distance; almost not.

   Knapp

   • The car missed the pedestrian by inches.
   • He escaped the falling tree by inches.
   • The team won the game by inches, with a last-second goal.