by a canvas
by a canvas
By an extremely short or slim margin (of distance, time, or another measure). The phrase comes from boat racing, as the front end of a racing boat was at one time covered with canvas. They're just about to close the gates! It looks like we made the flight by a canvas. The race was neck and neck till the very end, but Sally won it by a canvas.
See also: by, canvas
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
by a canvas
by a small margin.The tapered front end of a racing boat was formerly covered with canvas to prevent water being taken on board. In this context, to win by a canvas meant to win by the length between the tip of the bow and the first oarsman.
See also: by, canvas
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- wash overboard
- breast up
- shove off
- float
- float (one's) boat
- float somebody's boat
- float someone's boat
- take (someone) for a ride, to
- full boat
- little man in the boat