near miss

American  

Or near-miss

noun

1. a strike by a missile that is not a direct hit but is close enough to damage the target.

2. an instance of two vehicles, aircraft, etc., narrowly avoiding a collision.

3. something that falls narrowly short of its object or of success.

   an interesting movie, but a near miss.

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near miss British  

noun

1. a bomb, shell, etc, that does not exactly hit the target

2. any attempt or shot that just fails to be successful

3. an incident in which two vehicles narrowly avoid collision

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near miss Idioms  

1. A narrowly avoided mishap; also, an attempt that falls just short of success. For example, It was a near miss for that truck, since the driver had crossed the center strip into on-coming traffic, or Her horse kept having a near miss in every race, so she decided to sell it. This expression originated during World War II, when it signified a bomb exploding in the water near enough to a ship to damage its hull. Soon afterward it acquired its present meanings.

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Example Sentences

Norman’s ability to pulverize the ball off the tee led him to British Open victories in 1986 and 1993, though his near misses were just as memorable.

From The Wall Street Journal

NHS Lothian's 2024 review upheld or partially upheld 17 concerns about safety and concluded "there is no dispute that there have been safety concerns, near misses and actual adverse outcomes for women and babies".

From BBC

At the time, he was using a corridor to flee Israeli strikes after experiencing a near miss in Gaza City, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr Goldstone said the "ripple effect" of the attack had been felt by the "entire Jewish community" and described his family's near miss as "sheer fate".

From BBC

“Every single time, it’s a near miss” of a train hitting a person, said Ryan Snow, the California State Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

From Los Angeles Times