Definition

Noun: A situation where something bad, dangerous, or undesirable was very nearly experienced, but was avoided at the last moment. It describes a narrow escape or a result achieved by a very small margin.

Usage

The term "close call" is used to describe an event where a person or thing almost experiences an accident, disaster, or failure, but manages to avoid it. It emphasizes how near the negative outcome was.

Examples

• That car almost hit me! That was a close call.
• We passed the exam, but it was a close call; I thought I had failed.
• The pilot managed to land the plane safely despite engine failure. It was a real close call.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a close call": To experience a situation where one narrowly avoids danger or trouble.
  • He had a close call when he slipped on the mountain path but managed to grab a tree root.
• The phrase can be used in various contexts, from physical danger (accidents) to non-physical situations (competitions, deadlines, tests).

Variants and Related Words

• Close shave (noun, informal): A synonym with a very similar meaning, often implying an even narrower escape.
  • Missing that falling ladder was a close shave.

Synonyms

• Narrow escape
• Near miss
• Close thing (chiefly British)

Related Idioms

• Too close for comfort: Used to describe a situation that was dangerously or uncomfortably near to being a disaster.
  • The hurricane missed the city, but it was too close for comfort.

Noun

1. something achieved (or escaped) by a narrow margin