close call

[ klohs ]

noun

1. a narrow escape from danger or trouble.

close call

/ kləʊs /

noun

1. another expression for close shave

Word History and Origins

Origin of close call¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Example Sentences

I heard there was a close call on the set of Lone Survivor where your head was almost blown off?

From The Daily Beast

During filming, one close call almost killed to the project.

From The Daily Beast

Whether Ferdydurke or Transatlantic is his masterpiece is a close call.

From The Daily Beast

In town, they had a close call while filming a bonfire attended by a group of 18-year-old kids.

From The Daily Beast

The close call forced Gerhartsreiter to quit his $100,000-a-year job and go underground.

From The Daily Beast

When she had finished they regarded her wonderingly, fully appreciating what a close call she had had.

From Project Gutenberg

They're all well now, 'cept Jake, and he'll come out all right, but we had a close call.

From Project Gutenberg

Here was a close call, which differed from many another in that the bounding ball was visible.

From Project Gutenberg

That was certainly a close call, and the bullet evidently whistled uncomfortably close to several of them.

From Project Gutenberg

It's day after to-morrow—a close call, but I'll make it all right.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cliffhanger