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Synonyms

close call

American  
[klohs] / kloʊs /

noun

  1. a narrow escape from danger or trouble.

close call British  
/ kləʊs /

noun

  1. another expression for close shave

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.

Etymology

Origin of close call

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Another blinder of a start on lap one and great wheel to wheel battling throughout, with some quite close call action with Hamilton.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

On the opening night of Mission League basketball action Wednesday, there was a huge upset, one close call and two easy victories.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

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

When Martin came that night and they cleaned, he told Cora it was best if he didn’t mention the close call to Ethel.

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.