within an inch of one's life

prepositional phrase2

1. •
   To a point where one is at great risk of death; or (figuratively, hyperbolic) of severe danger or trouble.
2. •
   (figurative) Almost as much as possible; to an extreme extent.

   • Every drawer had the names of the tools inside written on the front. There were also several parts lockers; they too were labeled and organized within an inch of their lives. — 2000