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.
But driving across the line into Delaware — the first state, by a nose, to approve the apps — Andrew was beset by FanDuel radio ads and billboards. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025 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 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 20 Oct. 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!