by a nose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a nose" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a narrow or close victory, where the victor only barely won the competition or race. For example, "The thoroughbred won the race by a nose!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Winner: 1969 by a nose.

The Guardian - Film

The heart wins by a nose (Holden).

The New York Times

And I missed it by a nose.

The New York Times - Sports

So it was Buddy by a nose.

The New York Times

The heart wins by a nose.

The New York Times

By a nose, from John Degenkolb!

The Guardian - Sport

Look for "Allergist" by a nose.

The New York Times

He beat Silver Series - the favorite - by a nose.

The New Yorker

Mr. Hitchens passes this test, if only by a nose.

The New York Times

I'm going to go for Biden by a nose.

The New York Times

Twice, Forty Niner and Claiborne were winners by a nose.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a nose" to add vividness and a sense of drama when describing a close victory, especially in contexts like sports, elections, or competitive situations.

Common error

Avoid using "by a nose" in situations that don't involve a direct competition or comparison, as it implies a very slight margin of victory or success.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "by a nose" is as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, providing information about the manner in which an action (winning, succeeding) occurs, emphasizing the narrowness of the margin. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly used to describe close victories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by a nose" is a common and versatile idiom used to describe a narrow victory or close margin of success. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for general conversation and news reporting, it's less appropriate in highly formal or academic settings. When writing, use "by a nose" to vividly portray tight competitions, but avoid it in situations lacking a direct comparison or competitive element. Its prevalent use across varied sources underscores its place in contemporary English, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just barely

This alternative emphasizes the minimal margin of success.

by a hair's breadth

Emphasizes how small and precise was the measure that determined the victory.

in a close call

Focuses on the element of risk and near failure involved.

only just

This phrase shows that something was achieved but there was not guarantee of success.

by the skin of one's teeth

Evokes a sense of desperation and extreme closeness to failure.

a narrow victory

Highlights that the winning difference was minimal.

almost imperceptibly

Suggests the winning quantity was so small, it was barely noticed.

at the last moment

This alternative focuses on the time when the victory was achieved.

with minimal difference

Highlights how small and precise was the measure that determined the victory.

with little to spare

This alternative indicates the victory was achieved without any resources available.

FAQs

How can I use "by a nose" in a sentence?

Use "by a nose" to describe a situation where someone wins or succeeds with a very small margin. For example: "The horse won the race by a nose."

What are some alternatives to using "by a nose"?

You can use alternatives like "just barely", "by a hair's breadth", or "in a close call" depending on the context.

Is "by a nose" an idiom?

Yes, "by a nose" is an idiom that means winning or succeeding by a very small margin. It is often used in sports or competitive situations.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "by a nose"?

It's appropriate to use "by a nose" when you want to emphasize how close the victory or success was. Avoid using it in formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred.