by inches

副词 by inches:

1. by a short distance
   同义词：little by little, by small degrees

1. He saw himself dying by inches.
   他觉得自己在逐步走向死亡。
2. The truck missed me by inches.
   那辆卡车差一点撞上我。
3. The car missed me by inches.
   那辆汽车差一点儿撞著我。