hand's-breadth

Groups of fantastically saddled horses drooped their heads tied in the vicinity of a hands-breadth of shade by general stores.

He holds the bow a hands breadth from the nut, and raises the right arm much too high.

It was a touchdown by less than a hands breadth, but a touchdown nevertheless.

Mrs. Heard, seeing a hands breadth of cloud in the sky and fearing a thunder storm, had sent Neale ONeil scurrying for the girls.

I cut but a hands breadth of the meat, he said, and half of it is yet in the iron pot.