hairbreadth
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of hairbreadth
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I spoke of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field; Of hairbreadth ’scapes i’ th’ imminent deadly breach; Of being taken by the insolent foe And sold to slavery.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
In a theater dependent on exaggerated storylines — hairbreadth escapes, implausible coincidences and either conclusively happy or disastrous endings — how can the momentousness of ordinary life be captured?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2023
We all finished, and within a hairbreadth of our goal times.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 28, 2022
On Wednesday, the campaign was just a hairbreadth away from reaching its goal of $1.7 million, thanks to 3,400 donors, roughly double the number in mid-December last year.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 17, 2020
Dr. Harlow notes her description of how Phineas would entertain them "with the most fabulous recitals of his wonderful feats and hairbreadth escapes, without any foundation except in his fancy."
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
