close call
Học thuậtThân thiện
He had a close call when his car skidded on the wet road but didn't hit the tree.
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.
He had a close call when his car skidded on the wet road but didn't hit the tree.
Noun
- something achieved (or escaped) by a narrow margin