beat to within an inch of their lifebeat (someone) to within an inch of (their) life
to attack someone so violently that they almost die.
She was beaten to within an inch of her life on a back street in London.
(redirected from beat to within an inch of their life)
beat (one) to within an inch of (one's) life
To physically attack one, as with punches and other blows, such that they suffer significant, life-threatening injury. This phrase can be used both literally and hyperbolically. Our neighbor is in the hospital because a burglar beat him to within an inch of his life.I'm worried that the captain of the football team will beat me to within an inch of my life if he finds out that I'm secretly seeing his girlfriend.If you ever scare me like that again, I'll beat you to within an inch of your life, I swear!