within a whisker ofwithin a whisker of (something)
close to something.
Yesterday, the price of oil came within a whisker of its all-time high.An asteroid came within a whisker of crashing into the earth.
within a whisker of (something)
Very close to something. I swear the car came within a whisker of hitting the train, but stopped at the last second.I came within a whisker of winning that race, but I guess I'll have to settle for second place.
within a whisker of
extremely close or near to doing, achieving, or suffering something. informal