1
general::
Phrase(s): come within an inch of someone or something [and] come within a hair(‘s breadth) of someone or something
to come very close to someone or something. • The bullet came within an inch of Heather. • The car came within a hair of the bus., Phrase(s): come within an inch of doing something
Fig. almost to do something; to come very close to doing something. • I came within an inch of going into the army. • I came within an inch of falling off the roof.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs