close call

American  

[klohs] / kloʊs /

noun

1. a narrow escape from danger or trouble.

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close call British  

/ kləʊs /

noun

1. another expression for close shave

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close call Idioms  

1. Also, close shave. Narrow escape, near miss. For example, That skier just missed the tree—what a close call, or That was a close shave, nearly leaving your passport behind. The first phrase dates from the late 1800s and comes from sports, alluding to an official's decision (call) that could have gone either way. The second, from the early 1800s, alludes to the narrow margin between closely shaved skin and a razor cut. (This latter usage replaced the much earlier equation of a close shave with miserliness, based on the idea that a close shave by a barber meant one would not have to spend money on another shave quite so soon.) Also see too close for comfort.

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Etymology

Origin of close call

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

close call

The decision between raising rates or holding steady “has been a close call for a long time,” said Lewis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Minnie Driver’s Paris adventures went awry this week when she was involved in a car accident that she’s describing as a frightening close call.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

Investors and economists acknowledge the Fed vote was a close call, and that a case could have been made either way to raise rates or leave them unchanged.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

All eyes on the horizon and fingers crossed the storms stay well away, but it's a close call.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

Yet Ernest’s decision to invite Oppie into the discussion had been a close call.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• cliffhanger