only just
刚刚，恰好
the shot missed her by inches.
子弹刚好没射中她。
very slowly and gradually; bit by bit
缓慢地；一点一点
you can't let him die by inches like this.
你不能让他这样慢慢死去。
(proverb)once concessions have been made to someone they will demand a great deal
(谚语)得寸进尺
almost to the point of death
差点儿丧命
he was beaten within an inch of his life.
他差点儿被打死。
In every respect; entirely
在每个方面；完全地
“Ay, every inch a king!”(&b{Shakespeare})
“哈，在每个方面都称职的国王！”(&b{莎士比亚})
Very gradually or slowly.
循序渐进地或很慢地
Almost to the point of
几乎达到某一点
came within an inch of death.
临近死亡的边缘