as in narrow escapes
a barely successful escape from something undesirable
the passengers in the jeep had a close shave when a mine exploded just a few yards away
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Recent Examples of close shaves
The Torreys are accustomed to, pun intended, close shaves.
—
Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for close shaves
close calls
Noun
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That’s notable because Gonzalez has had some close calls.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
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No team gets to 30-0 — like the RedHawks had entering Friday’s regular-season finale — without a couple of close calls.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Close shaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20shaves. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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