The phrase originated from horse racing, where races can be so close they're decided by the length of a horse’s nose.

Racing Origin

This phrase is often used figuratively to denote any narrow victory, not just in actual races or competitions.

Figurative Use

Using 'by a nose' can convey a sense of excitement or relief from a near defeat and is ideal for dramatic storytelling.

This sense of 'by a nose' refers to closely searching like a detective following a scent trail, not winning.

It implies using keen senses or intuition to uncover something not easily noticeable.

Here, 'by a nose' symbolizes a 'scent' for discovery, even if no actual smell is involved.