by inches
little by little
by small degrees

He had got the door open by inches, but not far enough.

Add enough cold water to cover them by two to three inches.

The first one, they lost the game by six inches.

Then those I love would not have had to watch me die by inches.

According to the official report he won the race by inches.

It also used to be 10 7/8 by 9 inches.

It is on the small side, just 20 by 16 inches.

It was found to be off by less than three inches.

Most of them are no larger than 2 by 3 inches.

I told you, I've decided to live and not die by inches.