come within an inch of doing something

come within an inch of (something)

To almost get, achieve, or experience something. She came within an inch of the gold medal, but her leg cramped in the last few meters. Hundreds of people came within an inch of death when their apartment building caught on fire in the middle of the night.See also: come, inch, of, within

come within an inch of doing something

If you come within an inch of doing something, you very nearly do it. The company came within an inch of going bankrupt. Note: You can also say that you are within an inch of doing something. She had been within an inch of rejecting the idea altogether.See also: come, inch, of, something, within