By a neck

usgb
phrase

Winning or succeeding by a very narrow margin.

The first horse won the race by a neck.
Visual representation of "by a neck" - Winning or succeeding by a very narrow margin

Often appears as...

  • won by a neck
  • lead by a neck

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "by a neck"
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Racing Origin

The phrase originates from horse racing, where a 'neck' is the literal margin of victory.

Illustration for Racing Origin
He's an avid gambler and often bets on horses that win by a neck.
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Close Competitions

Use 'by a neck' to describe very close competitions, not just races, to emphasize how narrow the win was.

Illustration for Close Competitions
She won the spelling bee by a neck, with the final word tipping the scale.
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Figurative Use

The phrase is often used figuratively, meaning it's not about actual physical distances.

Illustration for Figurative Use
The incumbent politician won the election by a neck, just a few votes.
Visual representation of the word "By a neck"

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