close call

[ klohs ]

noun

1. a narrow escape from danger or trouble.

close call

/ kləʊs /

noun

1. another expression for close shave

Word History and Origins

Origin of close call¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Related Words

• cliffhanger