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

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 the close call with Gerry getting taken away by Tricia’s security, the two cross a boundary in the laundry room at the stadium. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026

But close calls like this, Mahdi says, are happening more often. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

For Prescott, a first-time national winner who has spent the last 45 years in the trucking industry, simply reaching Pittsburgh was the result of years of close calls and incremental progress. — Alice Barlow, Fortune, 29 Aug. 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