by a nose

idiom

: by a very short distance
His horse won the race by a nose.

Examples of by a nose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Timberwolves had been a little scrambled for much of the evening, committing 21 turnovers to help the Warriors — playing without their best player in Steph Curry — ahead by a nose for much of the contest. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025 Journalism was saved by the wire by approximately one or perhaps two strides, given the impressive speed at which Baeza was gaining on him, with Baeza finishing in show by a nose. Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 Six Preakness winners won by a nose, 12 won by a head and 10 won by a neck. Annie Jennemann, Baltimore Sun, 6 May 2025 Sunday afternoon, the Red Sox avoided disaster by a nose. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for by a nose

Cite this Entry

“By a nose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20a%20nose. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!