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within an ace of

 - 4 dictionary results
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ace

  [eys] noun, verb, aced, ac⋅ing, adjective
Use within an ace of in a Sentence
–noun
1. a playing card or die marked with or having the value indicated by a single spot: He dealt me four aces in the first hand.
2. a single spot or mark on a playing card or die.
3. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.)
a. Also called service ace. a placement made on a service.
b. any placement.
c. a serve that the opponent fails to touch.
d. the point thus scored.
4. a fighter pilot credited with destroying a prescribed number or more of enemy aircraft, usually five, in combat.
5. a very skilled person; expert; adept: an ace at tap dancing.
6. Slang. a one-dollar bill.
7. Slang. a close friend.
8. Golf.
a. Also called hole in one. a shot in which the ball is driven from the tee into the hole in one stroke: He hit a 225-yard ace on the first hole.
b. a score of one stroke made on such a shot: to card an ace.
9. Slang. a barbiturate or amphetamine capsule or pill.
10. a very small quantity, amount, or degree; a particle: not worth an ace.
11. Slang. a grade of A; the highest grade or score.
–verb (used with object)
12. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to win a point against (one's opponent) by an ace.
13. Golf. to make an ace on (a hole).
14. Slang. to cheat, defraud, or take advantage of (often fol. by out): to be aced out of one's inheritance; a friend who aced me out of a good job.
15. Slang.
a. to receive a grade of A, as on a test or in a course (sometimes fol. by out).
b. to complete easily and successfully: He aced every physical fitness test they gave him.
–adjective
16. excellent; first-rate; outstanding.
—Verb phrase
17. ace it, Slang. to accomplish something with complete success: a champion who could ace it every time.
—Idioms
18. ace up one's sleeve, an important, effective, or decisive argument, resource, or advantage kept in reserve until needed.
19. be aces with, Slang. to be highly regarded by: The boss says you're aces with him.
20. easy aces, Auction Bridge. aces equally divided between opponents.
21. within an ace of, within a narrow margin of; close to: He came within an ace of winning.
Origin:
1250–1300; 1915 for def. 4; ME as, aas < OF as < L: a unit; cf. as 2 ; sense 4 after F as in World War I; sense 5 < 4
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ace   (ās)   
n.  

    1. A single spot or pip on a playing card, die, or domino.

    2. A playing card, die, or domino having one spot or pip.

    3. A serve that one's opponent fails to hit.

    4. A point scored by such a serve.

  2. In racket games:

    1. A serve that one's opponent fails to hit.

    2. A point scored by such a serve.

  3. The act of hitting a golf ball in the hole with one's first shot.

  4. A military aircraft pilot who has destroyed five or more enemy aircraft.

  5. An expert in a given field.

adj.  Top-notch; first-rate.
tr.v.   aced, ac·ing, ac·es

  1. To serve an ace against in racket games.

  2. To hit an ace on (a hole) in golf.

  3. Slang To get the better of (someone): a candidate who aced his opponents in the primaries.

  4. Slang

    1. To receive a grade of A on: She aced the exam.

    2. To perform with distinction on: aced the interview.


[Middle English as, from Old French, from Latin, unit.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: Ace
Pronunciation: 'As
Function: trademark
—used for a bandage with elastic properties
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

within an ace of

Also, within an inch of. Very close to, within a narrow margin of, as in We were within an ace of calling you, but we'd lost your phone number, or We were within an inch of buying tickets for that concert. The first term refers to the ace of dice, that is, the one pip on a die. The lowest number one can throw with a pair of dice is two (two aces), a throw that is within an ace of one. The term began to be used for other kinds of near miss by about 1700.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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