single word requests - What would be the metric equivalent of “inching” (or a workable alternative)?



inching. moving slowly/small degree of progress.


As in “Elon is inching his way towards Mars”.


“Metering closer to his goal” sounds … totally off. So how do I avoid using arguably antiquated measurements (which has contributed towards the loss of one space mission) without sounding totally crazy? Are there equivalent expressions using metric units, or do we need a work-around, or ...?




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