inch

/intʃ/

Thân thiện

A ruler shows the length of one inch.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A unit of length: An "inch" is a unit of measurement in the imperial and US customary systems, equal to 1/12 of a foot or exactly 2.54 centimeters.
   • A very small amount or distance: "Inch" can also refer to a very small degree or quantity, often used figuratively.

2. Verb:

   • To move very slowly: To "inch" means to move or progress gradually and in very small increments.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The screen is twelve inches diagonally.
  • He refused to retreat an inch from his position.
• Verb:
  • The traffic was so bad we could only inch forward.
  • She inched the vase closer to the edge of the table.

Advanced Usage

• By inches: Very gradually; little by little.
  • The floodwaters rose by inches.
• Within an inch of one's life: To an extreme degree, often referring to a severe beating.
  • In the old story, the villain was beaten within an inch of his life.
• Every inch a/the...: Completely; in every respect.
  • He stood there, every inch a confident leader.

Variants and Related Words

• Inchworm (n): The larval form of a geometer moth, which moves by arching and straightening its body, appearing to measure the ground.
• Inchmeal (adv, archaic): Little by little; piecemeal.

Synonyms

• Noun: Bit, fraction, hair's breadth.
• Verb: Edge, creep, crawl, nose.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Inch along: To move forward very slowly.
  • The long line of cars inched along the highway.
• Inch up/down: To increase or decrease very gradually.
  • Interest rates have been inching up all year.

Related Idioms

• Give someone an inch and they'll take a mile (or yard/ell): If you concede a small amount to someone, they will take much more. This warns against making small concessions.
  • I let him borrow my notes once, and now he expects them every week. Give him an inch and he'll take a mile.
• Not budge/give an inch: To refuse to compromise or move at all.
  • During the negotiations, neither side would give an inch.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a unit of measurement for advertising space
2. a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

Verb

1. advance slowly, as if by inches
   • He edged towards the car

Từ đồng nghĩa

• column inch
• in
• edge