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

Already this year, hurricanes have intensified rapidly in the Pacific, and Hawaii has had close calls with several hurricanes that brought destructive rain and wind. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

At this week’s meeting, 2027 was a fairly close call, with eight officials pointing to another hike, six seeing the funds rate holding steady and four envisioning cuts. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

For Natalia Sergienko, a humanitarian worker and the director of the Kherson Power of the South public organization, the past month brought two close calls. — David Brennan, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

After a close call with pickpockets in Italy, my mom upgraded her backpack to this crossbody bag. — Brooke Knappenberger, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 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