What does “By a hair's breadth” mean?
"By a hair's breadth" means to narrowly or barely achieve something, often by a very small margin.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He won the race by a hair's breadth.
Example
The decision was made by a hair's breadth.
Example
They managed to escape the danger by a hair's breadth
Is “By a hair's breadth” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“By a hair's breadth” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “By a hair's breadth” effectively in context?
You can use "By a hair's breadth" to describe a situation where something narrowly or barely happens, emphasizing the small margin or close call. For example, if someone wins a race by a very small margin, you might say, 'He won the race by a hair's breadth.'
- 1Sports
The team scored the winning goal by a hair's breadth in the final seconds of the game.
- 2Decision Making
The outcome of the election was determined by a hair's breadth, with only a few votes making the difference.
- 3Dangerous Situations
They managed to escape the danger by a hair's breadth, narrowly avoiding a serious accident.
Similar phrases to “By a hair's breadth”:
By a very small margin or with little room to spare
Example
She narrowly avoided getting hit by a car.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “By a hair's breadth” come from?
The origin of the phrase "By a hair's breadth" is unknown.
Is “By a hair's breadth” common in everyday conversation?
"By a hair's breadth" is not a very common expression in everyday conversation, but it is still used occasionally. It is more commonly found in written language or in formal contexts.
What tone does “By a hair's breadth” have?
"By a hair's breadth" conveys a tone of suspense or tension. It implies a close call or a situation where something almost didn't happen.
Can “By a hair's breadth” be used in informal and formal settings?
"By a hair's breadth" is a relatively formal expression. It may not be commonly used in casual conversations, but it is appropriate in more formal settings such as writing, presentations, or professional discussions.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
"By a hair's breadth" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He managed to win the game by a hair's breadth.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'They escaped by a hair's breadth!' to imply a close call.
