Have a close call Meaning in English
expression
ˈhæv/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈkɫoʊs/, /ˈkɫoʊz/ /ˈkɔɫ
HAV uh KLOHS KAWL
hæv/ /æɪ/ /kləʊz/ /kˈɔːl
HAV uh KLOHZ KAWL
Definition
To narrowly avoid danger or a bad outcome; to almost experience something bad, but manage to escape it at the last moment.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, mostly spoken. Usually refers to accidents or risky situations. Often used with 'that was' or 'I had'. Similar in meaning: 'narrow escape'. Not used for positive, everyday luck, but for situations where something bad almost happened.
Spanish: librarse por poco - tener un sustoPortuguese (BR): escapar por pouco - por um trizPortuguese (PT): escapar por pouco - estar por um trizChinese (Simplified): 死里逃生 - 差点出事Chinese (Traditional): 死裡逃生 - 差點出事Hindi: बाल-बाल बचनाArabic: ينجو بأعجوبة - إفلات بأعجوبةBengali: বাঁচতে বাঁচতে পার পাওয়া - অল্পের জন্যে রক্ষা পাওয়াRussian: чудом избежать - чуть не попасть в бедуJapanese: 危うく助かる - 危機一髪Vietnamese: thoát hiểm trong gang tấc - suýt gặp nguy hiểmKorean: 간신히 피하다 - 아슬아슬하게 넘기다Turkish: ucuz atlatmak - kıl payı kurtulmakUrdu: بال بال بچنا - کسی بڑی مصیبت سے بالکل بچ جاناIndonesian: nyaris celaka - hampir saja terkena musibah
Example Sentences
We had a close call when the car stopped just in time.
basic
She had a close call with food poisoning last night.
basic
The hikers had a close call during the storm.
basic
Wow, that was a close call. I almost dropped my phone in the river!
natural
We had a close call with that falling branch, didn't we?
natural
You really had a close call on your bike this morning.
natural