By an eyelash Meaning in English
expression
BY an EYE-lash
BY un EYE-lash
Definition
Used to describe a situation where something almost did not happen or was achieved with a very small difference.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used in sports, competitions, or moments of chance to stress how close the result was. Similar to 'by a hair' or 'by a whisker'. Not as common in British English. Do not confuse with literal references to eyelashes.
Spanish: por un pelo - por muy pocoPortuguese (BR): por um fio - por um trizPortuguese (PT): por um triz - por um fioChinese (Simplified): 险些 - 勉强Chinese (Traditional): 險些 - 勉強Hindi: बाल-बालArabic: بفرق شعرةBengali: অন্ত্র পরিমাণে - অল্পের জন্যRussian: на волосок - едва-едваJapanese: 紙一重で - かろうじてVietnamese: suýt soát - sát nútKorean: 간발의 차이로 - 아슬아슬하게Turkish: kıl payı - burun farkıylaUrdu: بال بال بچنا - بال برابر فرق سےIndonesian: selisih tipis - nyaris saja
Example Sentences
He won the race by an eyelash.
basic
Our team lost by an eyelash.
basic
She finished the test by an eyelash before the time was up.
basic
They made it to the airport by an eyelash and caught their flight just in time.
natural
That decision passed by an eyelash; one more 'no' and it wouldn't have happened.
natural
He avoided the falling branch by an eyelash—that was close!
natural