close call

noun

: a narrow escape

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What to do immediately after a close call Changing your password or running a malware scan is often not enough to stop attackers. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Controllers at the airport have been under scrutiny since the airport was the site of a January 29 deadly collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet that killed 67 people and a subsequent series of close calls. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025 And the only other close call was Cliff Lee, who merely tied his career high in Game 3 of the 2010 ALCS, with a 13-strikeout gem in Yankee Stadium. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 Ryall noted that among this year’s choices there were a number of close calls. Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for close call

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of close call was in 1881

Cite this Entry

“Close call.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close%20call. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

close call

noun
: a narrow escape
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!