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

He described a close call involving his son, who was nearly hit while on a bike due to limited visibility at the intersection.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

It’s a close call, but ultimately I’m on your side.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 7, 2026

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

A man has been rescued from quicksand in Morecambe Bay, in what emergency teams described as a "close call" as the tide was "rapidly pushing in".

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2025

Once on a job with Sammy, we had a pretty close call.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• cliffhanger