Meaning & use
inching closer
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrasefigurative
moving forward very slowly and gradually toward a place, goal, or result
Grammar: Often followed by 'to' plus a noun or an -ing verb: inching closer to an agreement / inching closer to agreeing.
Patterns
- inching closer to something
- inching closer to doing something
- be inching closer
After months of talks, the two sides are inching closer to a deal.
The rescue team was inching closer to the trapped hikers.
Prices are inching closer to last year's levels.
Common combinations
- inching closer to a deal
- Both companies are inching closer to a deal after the latest meeting.
- inching closer to victory
- The team is inching closer to victory with each point.
- inching closer to the truth
- The investigation is inching closer to the truth.
- slowly inching closer
- The car was slowly inching closer to the edge of the cliff.
Synonyms and how they differ
- edging closer
- Very similar, but 'edging' often suggests small, careful movements, while 'inching' emphasizes slowness.
- approaching
- More neutral and can be faster; 'inching closer' stresses that progress is very slow.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
The negotiators are inching closer ___ a peaceful solution.
Choose one answer.
'Inching closer' is followed by 'to' when introducing the goal or destination. 'At' would not express direction toward a result, and 'for' and 'with' do not fit this fixed pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “inching closer”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.