An inch out perhaps but maintaining contact (2,5)
I believe the answer is:
in touch
'maintaining contact' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'an inch out perhaps' is the wordplay.
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'inch'+'out'='inchout'
'inchout' with letters rearranged gives 'IN TOUCH'.
'but' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for in touch that I've seen before include "What would-be correspondents hope to get" , "Having up-to-date knowledge" , "Having up-to-date info" , "Communicating - out of play" , "aware of what's happening" .)