Within an inch of my life

Meaning

Almost killed or severely harmed.

Usage

Describes life-threatening close calls.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Military phrasing about surviving by narrow margins.

Used in early 20th-century war reports.