Definition

Noun: A very small difference or amount by which one thing exceeds another, especially in a competition, vote, or measurement. It indicates a result that is very close.

Usage

The term "narrow margin" is used to describe situations where the difference between two outcomes is minimal. It is most commonly applied to elections, sports scores, financial figures, or any competitive or comparative context.

Examples

• The candidate won the election by a narrow margin of just 200 votes.
• The bill passed in parliament with a narrow margin.
• The company avoided a loss by a narrow margin this quarter.
• He qualified for the finals by a narrow margin.

Advanced Usage

• "To win/lose by a narrow margin": This is the most frequent collocation, emphasizing the closeness of the victory or defeat.
• "A narrow margin of error": Used in technical, scientific, or statistical contexts to indicate that only a very small mistake is allowable.
  • The surgical procedure has a narrow margin of error.

Variants and Related Words

• Narrowness (noun): The quality or state of being narrow. Often used abstractly to describe the slim nature of a victory or difference.
  • The narrowness of the victory surprised the analysts.
• Slim margin (noun phrase): A synonym with identical meaning and usage.
• Close shave (idiom): An informal idiom for a narrow escape from danger or failure, not specifically for competition.
  • Missing that falling ladder was a close shave.

Synonyms

• Slim majority
• Close result
• Bare majority
• Tight race (when referring to the competition itself)

Antonyms

• Landslide victory
• Wide margin
• Comfortable majority
• Decisive victory

Related Idioms

• By a hair's breadth: An idiom meaning by an extremely small margin.
  • The racer finished first by a hair's breadth.
• By the skin of one's teeth: An idiom meaning to just barely succeed or escape.
  • He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.

Noun

1. a small margin
   • the president was not humbled by his narrow margin of victory
   • the landslide he had in the electoral college obscured the narrowness of a victory based on just 43% of the popular vote