Within An Ace 🎲
Definition:
Very close to, within a narrow margin of. This term’s origins trace back to the ace on dice (not playing cards)—the one pip on a die. Historically, the lowest possible number on a pair of dice is two (two aces), thus a throw hovering around one pip. By the 1700s, it had been widely adopted to describe other ’near miss’ scenarios.
Famous Uses:
- “I was within an ace of being talked to death.” — Thomas Browne, letter, 1704.
- “I was within an ace of meeting you.” — Alexander Pope, letter, 1711.
Related Terms and Similar Expressions:
- Close call: A situation in which danger or harm is narrowly avoided.
- Near miss: Almost but not quite succeeding.
- Hair’s breadth: A very small margin or distance.
- On the brink: On the edge of a critical situation.
- Skin of one’s teeth: Narrowly, barely escaping a situation.
Synonyms:
- Almost
- Nearly
- Just about
- Practically
- Borderline
Antonyms:
- Far from
- Nowhere near
- Unlikely
Fun and Humor:
“If every near miss was counted as a hit, I’ll have the metaphorical bruises of a pro dodgeball team member!”
Proverbs:
- “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” — American Folk Saying.
- “A miss is as good as a mile.” — English Proverb, emphasizing that even a small miss is still a miss.
Literature, Movies, and Pop Culture:
- Book: The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson – Explore narrow margins and almost parallel lives.
- Movie: Edge of Tomorrow (2014) – Perfectly captures the edge-of-your-seat near-misses and narrow escapes.
- Song: “Close Call” by Rilo Kiley – A melodic exploration of near-successes and close encounters.
- Poetry: One Art by Elizabeth Bishop – Engages with the art of losing but never quite to perfection.
- Quotes: “Three minutes thought would suffice to find this out; but thought is irksome and three minutes is a long time.” — A.E. Housman.
Thought-Provoking Farewell:
“Remember, even near misses should be celebrated; they’re the stepping stones to eventual success. Whether you land your dice roll within an ace or a six, each throw shapes your journey.” — Lex I. Conographer, October 2023
Quiz Time! 📝
### Which of these idioms means 'narrowly avoided'?
- [x] Within an ace
- [ ] Throw a Hail Mary
- [ ] Barking up the wrong tree
- [ ] Over the moon
> **Explanation:** "Within an ace" means narrowly avoided or very close to, while the others have entirely different meanings.
### Which phrase is synonymous with 'within an ace'?
- [ ] Out of the blue
- [x] Close call
- [ ] Devils in the details
- [ ] Cry over spilled milk
> **Explanation:** "Close call" is a synonym for "within an ace"; both imply something narrowly avoided.
### True or False: 'Within an ace' originated from card games
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** The phrase actually originated from dice games; specifically, the ace on a die.
Enjoy discovering the nuances and near misses of language!
