within an inch of lifewithin an inch of (your/its) life
nearly completely.
Caroline hoped the information she had would frighten Mr. Mott within an inch of his life.
within an inch of (one's) life
Almost entirely. Our neighbor is in the hospital because a burglar beat him to within an inch of his life.The sudden blaring of the alarm scared me within an inch of my life.
within an inch of one's life
Fig. very close to losing one's life; almost to death. The accident frightened me within an inch of my life. When Mary was seriously ill in the hospital, she came within an inch of her life.