within an inch of one's life
The idiom "within an inch of one's life" is often used to describe situations of extreme danger or severity, either literally or figuratively.
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Definition
C1General
(figurative, hyperbolic)Extremely close to death or severe harm.
Example
- He was beaten within an inch of his life by the attackers.
C1General
(figurative, hyperbolic)To an extreme or intense extent.
Example
- She worked herself within an inch of her life to finish the project on time.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "within an inch of one's life":
fight for one's lifeto deathin extremisclose to the boneto save one's lifedo to deathto the deathrun for one's lifeknock the living daylights out ofbeat the daylights out ofmatter of life and death