| Clue | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Just barely prevailed | USA Today | 11 Jul 2026 |
| Just eked it out | New York Times | 29 Dec 2023 |
| Triumphed in a photo finish | USA Today | 16 Jan 2022 |
| Only just broke the tape | ||
| Barely came out on top | ||
| Barely came out on top | ||
| Was barely victorious | ||
| Eked out the victory |