inch

Definition

  • noun: a unit of measurement equal to
  • noun: a unit of length equal to
  • verb: to move very slowly or by a small amount in a specified direction or manner
  • verb: to move by small degrees
  • usually used in the phrase 'give an inch'
  • synonyms: island, advanced, force

Examples

  • The school is considering allowing older students to leave the campus for lunch on Fridays, but I'm concerned that 'if we give them an inch, they'll take a mile'. [=students will leave campus more often]

  • I begged him to reconsider, but he wouldn't 'give/budge an inch'. [=he wouldn't make even a slight change in his opinion or attitude]

  • I tried to improve the system, but she opposed me 'every inch of the way'. [=she opposed everything that I tried to do]

Movie quotes

  • (..) I'm sorry, Miss Tate. I tried, but he won't see you. And you know, you mustn't take it personally. Everyone knows that Wayne's holed up in there with -inch nails, peeing into Mason jars... It's very good of you to let me on the ground. Why are you wasting your time trying to talk to a man (..)
    2012 The Dark Knight Rises