1. by inches - Adverb
2. by inches - Phrase
by a short distance
Source: WordNetThey that die by famine die by inches. Matthew Henry
I'd rather die at sea, with one deep gulp of death, than die by inches on this desolate island here! Homer
Evil comes to us by ells and goes away by inches. English Proverb
Ill luck enters by fathoms and departs by inches. Spanish Proverb
The ground of liberty must be gained by inches. American Proverb
they moved it by inches Source: Internet