By a nose
adverbial phrase
To win by a very small distance or margin.
The race was really close, but Jim won by a nose.
Often appears as...
- win by a nose
- lost by a nose
Usage tips
Idiomatic
adverbial phrase
To sniff something or someone out; to find or discover by searching or probing closely.
The dog managed to find the hidden bone by a nose.
Often appears as...
- find by a nose
- detected by a nose
Usage tips
Idiomatic
adverbial phrase
To win by a very small distance or margin.
The race was really close, but Jim won by a nose.
Often appears as...
- win by a nose
- lost by a nose
Usage tips
Idiomatic
adverbial phrase
To sniff something or someone out; to find or discover by searching or probing closely.
The dog managed to find the hidden bone by a nose.
Often appears as...
- find by a nose
- detected by a nose
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Racing Origin
The phrase originated from horse racing, where races can be so close they're decided by the length of a horse’s nose.
The underdog team won the championship by a nose, much like in those thrilling horse races.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Use
This phrase is often used figuratively to denote any narrow victory, not just in actual races or competitions.
She won the student council election by a nose after a very tight vote count.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotionally Charged
Using 'by a nose' can convey a sense of excitement or relief from a near defeat and is ideal for dramatic storytelling.
After months of lagging in polls, the candidate won by a nose in a surprising turn of events.
Pro Tip 1/3Racing Origin
The phrase originated from horse racing, where races can be so close they're decided by the length of a horse’s nose.
The underdog team won the championship by a nose, much like in those thrilling horse races.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Use
This phrase is often used figuratively to denote any narrow victory, not just in actual races or competitions.
She won the student council election by a nose after a very tight vote count.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotionally Charged
Using 'by a nose' can convey a sense of excitement or relief from a near defeat and is ideal for dramatic storytelling.
After months of lagging in polls, the candidate won by a nose in a surprising turn of events.
Pro Tip 1/3Racing Origin
The phrase originated from horse racing, where races can be so close they're decided by the length of a horse’s nose.
The underdog team won the championship by a nose, much like in those thrilling horse races.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Use
This phrase is often used figuratively to denote any narrow victory, not just in actual races or competitions.
She won the student council election by a nose after a very tight vote count.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotionally Charged
Using 'by a nose' can convey a sense of excitement or relief from a near defeat and is ideal for dramatic storytelling.
After months of lagging in polls, the candidate won by a nose in a surprising turn of events.
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