- inch
- inch1 [ ıntʃ ] noun count ***a unit for measuring length. An inch is equal to 2.54 CENTIMETERS. There are 12 inches in one foot:The car stopped only about three inches from the edge of the cliff.an inch high/long/wide: The insect was about an inch long.a. an amount of rain, snow, soil, etc. that would cover a surface with a layer that is one inch deep:The city was cut off for hours after 10 inches of snow fell overnight.b. a very small distance or amount:The gun was inches away from his face.beat/thrash someone (to) within an inch of their lifeto hit someone so hard that they almost dieevery inch (of something)the whole of an area or place:Every inch of space was taken up with bookshelves.give someone an inch (and they'll take a mile)used for saying that if you agree to give someone something they want, they will then want to take moreinch by inchvery slowly, carefully, and gradually:Divers are searching through these murky waters inch by inch.look/be every inch somethingto look/be completely like a particular type of person:His wife looked every inch a Hollywood beauty.not give/budge an inchto completely refuse to change your opinion or decision:I've tried everything to persuade her but she won't budge an inch.inchinch 2 [ ıntʃ ] verb1. ) intransitive or transitive inch along/forward/up/toward to move somewhere very slowly and gradually, or to make something do this:Maggie tapped impatiently on the steering wheel and inched slowly forward.A dark shadow inched its way along the wall.2. ) intransitive inch up/down/higher/lower to gradually become greater or smaller in amount or number:Interest rates have been inching up over the past year.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.