close call

noun

ˈklōs- 

: a narrow escape

Synonyms of close call

• narrow escape
• hairbreadth escape
• close shave

Examples of close call in a Sentence

We nearly didn't get out of the burning building. It was a pretty close call, let me tell you!

the doctor said I'd had a close call, and was lucky to be alive

Recent Examples on the Web

Two Delta Air Lines planes carrying hundreds of passengers between them had a close call at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this week and had to perform evasive maneuvers. — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 29 July 2026

Indeed, economists at Bank of America wrote that the spike in oil prices has made the FOMC meeting a close call. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 July 2026

The cockpit voice recorders in the plane that capture conversations between pilots retain only the most recent two hours of audio, and by the time the NTSB requested the black boxes, the audio from the close call had already been overwritten. — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

His approach came to rest just inside 30 feet from the cup and the American couldn't convert, adding another close call to his major championship résumé. — Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for close call

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol

Kids Definition

close call

noun

: a narrow escape