By a whisker Meaning in English
expression
ˈbaɪ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈhwɪskɝ/, /ˈwɪskɝ
BY-uh WHIS-ker
bˈaɪ/ /æɪ/ /wˈɪskɐ
BY-uh WHIS-kuh
Definition
Used to say that something happened or was achieved by a very small margin, almost not happening.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used in sports, competitions, or when success/failure was very close. Synonyms: 'by a hair', 'by the skin of your teeth.' Not used in very formal writing. Used only for very narrow victories or escapes.
Spanish: por un pelo - por muy pocoPortuguese (BR): por um fio - por um trizPortuguese (PT): por um triz - por um fioChinese (Simplified): 险些 - 差一点Chinese (Traditional): 險些 - 差一點Hindi: बाल-बालArabic: بشق الأنفس - بفارق بسيطBengali: একটুখানি তফাতে - একটুখানি ফারাকেRussian: чуть-чуть - едва - буквально на волосокJapanese: 紙一重で - ぎりぎりでVietnamese: suýt soát - sát nútKorean: 간발의 차이로 - 아슬아슬하게Turkish: kıl payı - ucu ucunaUrdu: بال بال بچنا - بال برابر فرق سےIndonesian: selisih tipis - nyaris saja
Example Sentences
He won the race by a whisker.
basic
The team avoided losing by a whisker.
basic
She caught the bus by a whisker.
basic
We managed to finish the project deadline by a whisker.
natural
I almost missed my flight, but made it by a whisker.
natural
That car missed us by a whisker—we were so lucky!
natural