near thing

noun

1. informal,  an event or action whose outcome is nearly a failure, success, disaster, etc

Idioms and Phrases

Something just barely effected, as in That election was a near thing—he won by a handful of votes. [Mid-1700s]

Example Sentences

The visitors were first to the ball each time in a series of near things before the substitute thundered a shot off the underside of the crossbar.

From BBC

The Air National Guard used the site into the 1930s, and it was a very near thing: Griffith Park, not LAX, was almost the site of the city’s first airport.

From Los Angeles Times

He is in both the pro and college football halls of fame, and the lacrosse hall as well, although his selection to the college hall was a near thing.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a near thing, though, even in California.

From Los Angeles Times

The bowler is interested in the near thing, but the better chance of the wicket comes at the non-striker’s end.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• cliffhanger