Very narrowly; by the smallest possible margin. Also 'by a hairbreadth' or 'by a whisker.'
Examples:
- His serve was out by a hair.
Origin: first two forms from 1300s–1400s; 'whisker' sense from 1913
Synonyms: by a hairbreadth, by a whisker
Very narrowly; by the smallest possible margin. Also 'by a hairbreadth' or 'by a whisker.'
Examples:
Origin: first two forms from 1300s–1400s; 'whisker' sense from 1913
Synonyms: by a hairbreadth, by a whisker