by inches

only just

刚刚，恰好

the shot missed her by inches.

子弹刚好没射中她。

very slowly and gradually; bit by bit

缓慢地；一点一点

you can't let him die by inches like this.

你不能让他这样慢慢死去。

give someone an inch and he (或 she) will take a mi

(proverb)once concessions have been made to someone they will demand a great deal

(谚语)得寸进尺

(to) within an inch of one's life

almost to the point of death

差点儿丧命

he was beaten within an inch of his life.

他差点儿被打死。

every inch

In every respect; entirely

在每个方面；完全地

“Ay, every inch a king!”(&b{Shakespeare})

“哈，在每个方面都称职的国王！”(&b{莎士比亚})

inch by inch

Very gradually or slowly.

循序渐进地或很慢地

within an inch of

Almost to the point of

几乎达到某一点

came within an inch of death.

临近死亡的边缘