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

Even with my close call, like, that one angered me, because you start to think about things.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Cuts have become an increasingly close call because price increases have been more persistent than the Fed would like, the minutes indicated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

The Fed’s decision could still be a close call, however, based on the public comments of top officials showing a deep divide over what to do next.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 26, 2025

Thursday's decision by the bank's nine policymakers "will be a close call", predicted Neil Wilson, UK investor strategist at Saxo.

From Barron's • Nov. 6, 2025

Both he and Cora decided his skittish personality had not helped them during the close call the previous night, when in another bad omen the regulators knocked on the front door.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Related Words

• cliffhanger