1 B1 neutral
To move physically forward in very small, slow steps or increments.
"We inched along the narrow mountain path, careful not to slip."
inseparable
inch along
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move forward very slowly and gradually, in tiny increments.
In plain English
To move forward just a tiny little bit at a time — very, very slowly.
What does "inch along" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
For traffic to move at an extremely slow pace.
"We inched along the motorway for an hour before the accident was cleared."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
For a process, negotiation, or set of figures to progress very slowly over time.
"House prices inched along for months before the market finally picked up."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move inch by inch along a path — quite transparent.
Actually means
To move forward just a tiny little bit at a time — very, very slowly.
Usage tip
Can describe physical movement (traffic, a person on a ledge) or figurative progress (negotiations, prices). Evokes the image of moving one inch at a time. Common in journalistic writing to describe slow progress.
Words that pair with "inch along"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
traffic negotiations queue line car prices forward
How to conjugate "inch along"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
inch along
I/you/we/they
3rd person
inches along
he/she/it
Past simple
inched along
yesterday
Past participle
inched along
have + pp
-ing form
inching along
continuous
Hear "inch along" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "inch along" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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