Search from various English teachers...
Alina
“A hair's breadth”
Hello! I’m curious, is this idiom still commonly used in modern speech? Do you hear it often?
Sep 2, 2025 7:04 AM
Answers · 3
2
It's sometimes heard in poetic usage, for example on TV. But I'd be very surprised if someone said it to me in person. If they did, I would ask why they're speaking poetry.
Sep 2, 2025 8:35 AM
1
No, not often, but everybody has heard it and recognizes its meaning. There are many such expressions which, while not heard in everyday speech, are instantaneously recognizable to almost anyone:
"when pigs fly"
"at the drop of a hat"
"root and branch"
and thousands more.
Sep 3, 2025 10:42 AM
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Alina
Language Skills
English, French, Russian
Learning Language
English, French
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
9 likes · 7 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
12 likes · 9 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
7 likes · 2 Comments
More articles