How to Pronounce "by a hair"
expression
BY-uh-HAIR
BY-uh-HAIR
Definition
An expression meaning to succeed, win, or avoid something by a very small margin or with almost no difference. Used when something nearly did not happen.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈbaɪ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈhɛɹ
British English
bˈaɪ/ /æɪ/ /hˈeə
Simplified Pronunciation
US
BY-uh-HAIR
UK
BY-uh-HAIR
Listen in Context
He passed the exam by a hair.
We caught the bus by a hair.
She avoided an accident by a hair.
We almost lost the game, but we won by a hair.