A close shave Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈkɫoʊs/, /ˈkɫoʊz/ /ˈʃeɪv

uh KLOHS SHAYV

UK

æɪ/ /kləʊz/ /ʃˈeɪv

uh KLOHZ SHAYV

Definition

A situation where you almost have a bad result or accident, but you escape just in time.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal idiom mainly for unexpected danger narrowly avoided. It’s common in spoken English, usually about accidents or trouble. Not used for intentionally escaping or planning ahead. Similar to 'narrow escape'. 'That was a close shave!' is a common exclamation.

• Spanish: por los pelos - por poco
• Portuguese (BR): por um triz - por pouco
• Portuguese (PT): por um triz - por pouco
• Chinese (Simplified): 死里逃生 - 侥幸脱险
• Chinese (Traditional): 死裡逃生 - 僥倖脫險
• Hindi: बाल-बाल बचना
• Arabic: نجا بأعجوبة - أفلت بأعجوبة
• Bengali: অল্পের জন্য রক্ষা - অল্পের জন্য বিপদ এড়ানো
• Russian: чуть не попал в беду - на волоске от неприятностей
• Japanese: 危機一髪 - きわどいところで助かる
• Vietnamese: thoát hiểm trong gang tấc - suýt gặp nạn
• Korean: 간신히 위기에서 벗어남 - 아슬아슬하게 모면함
• Turkish: ramak kalmak - ucuz atlatmak
• Urdu: بال بال بچنا - خطر سے بال بال بچنا
• Indonesian: nyaris celaka - lolos dari bahaya

Example Sentences

That was a close shave—the car almost hit me.

basic

He had a close shave while swimming in the river.

basic

We had a close shave with that falling tree.

basic

Man, that was a close shave! I nearly dropped my phone in the sewer.

natural

We had a close shave getting to the airport—traffic was crazy!

natural

That test was a close shave—I only passed by one point.

natural