by a nose

by a nose

By an extremely short or slim margin (of distance, time, or another measure). They're just about to close the gates! It looks like we made the flight by a nose. The race was neck and neck till the very end, but Sally won it by a nose. Ah, she lost the gold medal by a nose when her leg cramped in the last few meters.

See also: by, nose

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

by a nose

(of a victory) by a very narrow margin.

In horse racing, by a nose is the narrowest margin by which a horse can win.

See also: by, nose

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017