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

However, some analysts expect that rates could be cut by 25 basis points, or at least that the decision will be a close call, following recent weaker-than-expected U.K. inflation and jobs data.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Dowdy said no one has ever fired at him, though he has had close calls.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It has taken some time, with a few bumps in the road over the summer and some close calls during these group stages, but this team is now becoming Edwards' England.

Read more on BBC

The Bank of Canada is likely to cut interest rates this week for the second consecutive time, “although it’s a close call,” according to Mike Schumacher, head of macro strategy at Wells Fargo.

Read more on Barron's

The Bank of Canada is likely to cut interest rates this week for the second consecutive time, “although it’s a close call,” according to Mike Schumacher, head of macro strategy at Wells Fargo.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• cliffhanger