come within an ace of

come within an ace of (something)

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

See also: ace, an, come, of, within

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

come within an ace of something

to come very close to [doing] something. I came within an ace of leaving school. I'm glad you talked me out of it. Donna came within an ace of having an accident.

See also: ace, an, come, of, within

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.