within an inch of one's life
idiomPart ofinch
within an inch of one's life — idiom
1. almost to the point of death, destruction, or complete defeat
1.idiom
Definition
almost to the point of death, destruction, or complete defeat
Example
The driver was beaten within an inch of his life by the angry crowd before the police arrived.
The storm shook the old house within an inch of its life, tearing tiles off the roof.