What does “By a mile” mean?
"By a mile" means winning or achieving something by a large margin or by a significant amount.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He won the race by a mile.
Example
The team is leading by a mile in the competition.
Example
Her performance was the best by a mile
Is “By a mile” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“By a mile” 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 mile” effectively in context?
You can use "By a mile" to emphasize that something is done or achieved with a large margin or by a significant amount. It is often used to describe a clear and decisive victory or superiority. For example, if someone wins a race with a significant lead, you might say, 'He won the race "by a mile".'
- 1Sports
The team is leading by a mile in the competition.
- 2Performance
Her performance was the best by a mile.
- 3Comparison
The new smartphone is better by a mile than the previous model.
Similar phrases to “By a mile”:
Head and shoulders above
Significantly better or superior to others
Example
Her artwork stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “By a mile” come from?
The origin of the phrase "By a mile" is unknown.
Is “By a mile” common in everyday conversation?
"By a mile" is a common expression in everyday conversation. It is frequently used to emphasize a significant difference or advantage.
What tone does “By a mile” have?
"By a mile" conveys a tone of clear superiority or dominance. It is often used to highlight a remarkable achievement or a significant lead.
Can “By a mile” be used in informal and formal settings?
"By a mile" is a relatively informal expression. It is commonly used in casual conversations, but it can also be used in more formal settings depending on the context.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
"By a mile" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He won the race "by a mile".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'They're winning "by a mile"!' to imply a significant lead.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- by a long shot
- by a wide margin
- by a significant distance
- by a considerable amount
- by a big lead
Antonyms
- by a whisker
- by a hair
- by a slim margin
- by a narrow margin
- by a small lead
