to be within an ace of
1Within an ace of — Ace Ace ([=a]s), n.; pl. {Aces} ([=a] s[e^]z). [OE. as, F. as, fr. L. as, assis, unity, copper coin, the unit of coinage. Cf. {As}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A unit; a single point or spot on a card or die; the card or die so marked; as, the ace of… …
2within an ace of doing something — phrase almost doing something, or nearly succeeding in doing it He came within an ace of winning the championship. Thesaurus: almost and almost notsynonym Main entry: ace …
3within an ace of something doing something — within an ace of sth/of doing sth idiom (BrE) very close to sth • We came within an ace of victory. Main entry: ↑aceidiom …
4within an ace of of doing something — within an ace of sth/of doing sth idiom (BrE) very close to sth • We came within an ace of victory. Main entry: ↑aceidiom …
5within\ an\ ace\ of — • within an inch of informal • within an inch of adv. phr. Almost but not quite; very close to; nearly. Tim came within an ace of losing the election. John was within an inch of drowning before he was pulled out of the water. Compare: by the skin …
6within an ace of — ► within an ace of very close to. Main Entry: ↑ace …
7within an ace of — phrasal : on the point of : very near to within an ace of hitting a telephone pole * * * within an ace of Within a hair s breadth of • • • Main Entry: ↑ace * * * very close to they came within an ace of death * * * within an a …
8within an ace of (doing) something — mod. very close to doing something. □ I came within an ace of getting stoned. □ We were within an ace of beating the all time record …
9within an ace of — {informal} or[within an inch of] {adv. phr.} Almost but not quite; very close to; nearly. * /Tim came within an ace of losing the election./ * /John was within an inch of drowning before he was pulled out of the water./ Compare: BY THE SKIN OF… …
10within an ace of — {informal} or[within an inch of] {adv. phr.} Almost but not quite; very close to; nearly. * /Tim came within an ace of losing the election./ * /John was within an inch of drowning before he was pulled out of the water./ Compare: BY THE SKIN OF… …
