I. inch1 S2 W3 /ɪntʃ/
noun [countable][
Date: 1000-1100;
Language: Latin;
Origin: uncia 'one twelfth']
1. (
written abbreviation in) a unit for measuring length, equal to 2.54 centimetres. There are 12 inches in a foot:
The curtains were an inch too short. Rainfall here is under 15 inches a year.a one-/two-/three- etc inch something a six-inch nail2. a very small distance:
Derek leaned closer, his face only inches from hers. The bus missed us by inches. On several occasions, they came within inches of death.3. every inch a) completely or in every way:
With her designer clothes and elegant hair, she looks every inch the celebrity. b) the whole of an area or distance
every inch of Every inch of space in the tiny shop was crammed with goods. Italy deserved to win, though Greece made them fight every inch of the way.4. give somebody an inch and they’ll take a yard/mile used to say that, if you allow someone a little freedom or power, they will try to take more
5. inch by inch moving very gradually and slowly:
Inch by inch, he lowered himself from the roof.6. not give/budge an inch to refuse to change your decision or opinion, even though people are trying to persuade you to do this:
Neither side is prepared to give an inch in the negotiations.7. beat/thrash etc somebody to within an inch of their life to beat someone very hard and thoroughly:
Another word out of you and I’ll beat you to within an inch of your life. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
II. inch2 verb [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move very slowly in a particular direction, or to make something do this:
I inched forward along the ground. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲