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

The extra income could turn free-cash-flow positive for the first time in years, but it will be a close call now that fuel prices have spiked.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

But it doesn’t look like a close call right now.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

In more severe scenarios, with the oil price averaging $110 a barrel and $125 next year, and energy prices and interest rates continuing to rise, a global recession would be a "close call".

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

There was a close call at Newark Liberty International Airport last week, when an Alaska Air plane flew over a FedEx freighter when both were attempting to land on crossing runways at the same time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Night was falling quickly, but no one wanted to risk another close call like the one they’d had that morning.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Related Words

• cliffhanger