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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While there have been no avalanche deaths recorded in Colorado so far this season, there have been serious accidents and several close calls.—
The Vail Daily,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
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One girl slipped and nearly fell Thursday morning, and Watkins said there have been several close calls since schools reopened.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Close shaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/close%20shaves. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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