How Do You Spell BY A NOSE?

Pronunciation: [ba͡ɪ ɐ nˈə͡ʊz] (IPA)

The phrase "by a nose" is commonly used in horse racing to describe a winning margin. The spelling of this phrase is straightforward, with the sounds represented by the letters 'b', 'y', 'a', and 'n' being pronounced as expected. The vowel sound in the word "nose" is represented by the letters 'o' and 'e', which are pronounced as a diphthong. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /baɪ ə noʊz/, with the stress falling on the first syllable (baɪ).

BY A NOSE Meaning and Definition

1. The phrase "by a nose" is an idiomatic expression primarily used in horse racing or any situation where winning or determining a victor by a very narrow margin is involved. In a literal sense, a nose refers to the part of the face connecting the eyes and mouth in humans and animals. However, in this context, it denotes the narrowest possible winning margin, usually measured in literal inches or centimeters, resembling the distance of a horse's nose at the finish line.

   When saying that someone or something won "by a nose," it means that they were victorious by the slimmest of margins, just barely surpassing their competitor. This term is often used to describe close finishes in races, contests, or competitions, where the winner is determined by an incredibly small advantage. It implies that the outcome was so close, it could easily have gone the other way had it not been for an almost imperceptible difference in performance or timing.

   The phrase "by a nose" is also sometimes employed in a figurative sense to describe situations where there is a very narrow disparity between two options, choices, or candidates. It emphasizes a slight but definitive preference for one over the other, often suggesting that the favored option prevailed due to a barely noticeable or subtle advantage. Overall, "by a nose" signifies a result achieved by the narrowest of margins, highlighting the importance of even the tiniest advantages in determining victory or success.

Common Misspellings for BY A NOSE

• vy a nose
• ny a nose
• hy a nose
• gy a nose
• bt a nose
• bg a nose
• bh a nose
• bu a nose
• b7 a nose
• b6 a nose
• by z nose
• by s nose
• by w nose
• by q nose
• by a bose
• by a mose
• by a jose
• by a hose
• by a nise
• by a nkse

Idioms with the word BY A NOSE

• win by a nose To win by a nose means to score a very close victory, just by a small margin. The expression comes from horse racing, where a horse can win a race by just a small distance, often referred to as "winning by a nose."
• by a nose The idiom "by a nose" means to win narrowly or by a small margin. It is often used in a sporting context to describe a victory that was just barely achieved.