Within an ace of

Within 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 diamonds. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence: A very small quantity or degree; a particle; an atom; a jot. [1913 Webster]

I 'll not wag an ace further. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. (Sport) A single point won by a stroke, as in handball, rackets, etc.; in tennis, frequently, a point won by a service stroke. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{To bate an ace}, to make the least abatement. [Obs.]

{Within an ace of}, very near; on the point of. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • within\ 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 …   Словарь американских идиом

  • within an ace of — ► within an ace of very close to. Main Entry: ↑ace …   English terms dictionary

  • within 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 …   Useful english dictionary

  • within 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… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • within 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… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • within an ace of — phrasal on the point of ; very near to < came within an ace of winning > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • within an ace — чуть было не, на волосок от The car came within an ace of hitting the child …   Idioms and examples

  • within an ace of — idi very close to: within an ace of winning[/ex] …   From formal English to slang

  • within 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 …   Useful english dictionary

  • within 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 …   Useful english dictionary

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