Phrase guide

close call

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /kləʊs ˈkɔːl/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He had a close call when a truck ran a red light and almost hit him.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

something achieved (or escaped) by a narrow margin

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: close shave, squeak, squeaker, narrow escape

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: accomplishment, achievement

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: únik o vlásek — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • Czech: uniknutí o chlup — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • German: knapp davongekommen — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • German: brenzlige Situation — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • German: brenzlige Lage — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • Portuguese: escapar por um triz — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • Russian: на волосок от (na volosok ot) — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • Spanish: escape por los pelos — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • Spanish: escapada de milagro — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • Spanish: salvada de milagro — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • Spanish: escapatoria que estuvo demasiado cerca — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided
  • Spanish: salvamiento después de estar a punto de perder a — situation in which an injury or other undesirable outcome is narrowly avoided