whisker
noun /ˈwɪskə(r)/
  /ˈwɪskər/
 Idioms - [countable] any of the long, stiff hairs that grow near the mouth of a cat, mouse, etc.Topics Animalsc2
enlarge image - whiskers[plural] (old-fashioned or humorous) the hair growing on a man’s face, especially on the sides of his face
 
Word Originlate Middle English (originally denoting a bundle of feathers, twigs, etc., used for whisking): from the verb whisk + -er.
Idioms 
be the cat’s whiskers/pyjamas 
- (old-fashioned, informal) to be the best thing, person, idea, etc.
- He thinks he's the cat's whiskers (= he has a high opinion of himself).
 
 
be, come, etc. within a whisker of something/doing something 
- (informal) to almost do something
- They came within a whisker of being killed.
 
 
by a whisker 
- (informal) by a very small amount
 
