come within a whisker of something

come within a whisker of (something)

To almost get, achieve, or experience something. She came within a whisker of the gold medal, but her leg cramped in the last few meters. Hundreds of people came within a whisker of death when their apartment building caught on fire in the middle of the night. No, they came within a whisker of defeat. They only won on a last-second touchdown!

See also: come, of, whisker, within

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

come within a whisker of something

COMMON If you come within a whisker of doing something, you almost do it. He came within a whisker of scoring the most spectacular goal. Meanwhile, Guccione came within a whisker of losing his mansion. Note: You can also say that someone is within a whisker of doing something. The two firms are within a whisker of agreeing a deal. Yet Miller had been within a whisker of being sacked.

See also: come, of, something, whisker, within

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

be, come, etc. within a whisker of something/of doing something

(British English) almost do something: They came within a whisker of being killed.

See also: of, something, whisker, within

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017