near miss

American  

Or near-miss

noun

1. a strike by a missile that is not a direct hit but is close enough to damage the target.

2. an instance of two vehicles, aircraft, etc., narrowly avoiding a collision.

3. something that falls narrowly short of its object or of success.

   an interesting movie, but a near miss.

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near miss British  

noun

1. a bomb, shell, etc, that does not exactly hit the target

2. any attempt or shot that just fails to be successful

3. an incident in which two vehicles narrowly avoid collision

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near miss Idioms  

1. A narrowly avoided mishap; also, an attempt that falls just short of success. For example, It was a near miss for that truck, since the driver had crossed the center strip into on-coming traffic, or Her horse kept having a near miss in every race, so she decided to sell it. This expression originated during World War II, when it signified a bomb exploding in the water near enough to a ship to damage its hull. Soon afterward it acquired its present meanings.

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Example Sentences

Consider this near miss one of James’ greatest postseason achievements.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

"This is not a long term resilient and sustainable route and there have been several near miss incidents on this narrow bridge."

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

After a 2013 near miss between a helicopter and an airplane in the same location as the January crash, an internal working group recommended that the FAA change a specific helicopter route.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

After the terror of the incident, Ulasewicz said the revelation that his plane was involved in a near miss changed his emotions to anger.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2025

Phil Resch did not intend to take chances, not after the near miss with Inspector Garland.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick