by a nose

US /baɪ ə noʊz/
UK /baɪ ə noʊz/
"by a nose" picture
1.

险胜, 勉强

by a very small amount; narrowly

:
He won the race by a nose.
险胜了比赛。
We finished the project on time, but only by a nose.
我们按时完成了项目,但只是险胜