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 life

to hit someone so hard that they almost die

every 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 more

inch by inch

very slowly, carefully, and gradually:

Divers are searching through these murky waters inch by inch.

look/be every inch something

to look/be completely like a particular type of person:

His wife looked every inch a Hollywood beauty.

not give/budge an inch

to completely refuse to change your opinion or decision:

I've tried everything to persuade her but she won't budge an inch.

inch

inch 2 [ ıntʃ ] verb

1. ) 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.