Word: Inch

Pronunciation

/ɪntʃ/

Definitions

• Noun: A unit of length in the imperial and U.S. customary systems, equal to 1/12 of a foot or approximately 2.54 centimeters. For example: “The baby grew an inch taller this month.”
• Verb: (intransitive) To move or advance slowly or gradually, by small increments. For example: “We inched our way through the heavy traffic.”

Phrases

• “An inch at a time” refers to moving or progressing very slowly or incrementally.
• “Give someone an inch and they’ll take a mile” suggests that if you allow someone a small privilege, they will take advantage and ask for more.
• “Within inches” implies something is very close or nearly touching another object.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The ruler measured up to twelve inches.”
• Verb: “The car inched forward in the dense fog.”

Synonyms

• Noun: centimeter, cm, span, measure
• Verb: creep, crawl, edge, move slowly, advance cautiously

Antonyms (for the verb form)

• rush, gallop, leap, bound, jump

Derived Phrases and Idioms

• “By inches” - meaning little by little, or in a very slow and gradual manner.
• “A miss is as good as a mile (even though it may be only an inch)” - emphasizing that near success is still failure.
• “Rule with an iron fist (or iron hand) within a velvet glove” - implying strict control even over the smallest details (the metaphorical ‘inch’)."