a close win

USAGE SUMMARY

"a close win" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something (such as a game or election) that was won by a narrow margin. For example: "The match was a close win, but ultimately the home team came out victorious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"We got a close win.

The New York Times

To them, a close win and a blowout are more similar than a close win and a close loss.

The New York Times - Sports

On Saturday, he sat in his condominium and watched a close win on the computer.

The New York Times - Sports

By the way, no one remembers a close win over Utah State by the time the calendar turns to November.

The New York Times

The Brewers finally pulled out a close win after losing by one run in five of their previous nine games.

The New York Times - Sports

After his first two games — a close win over Northern Iowa, and a loss to Oregon State, now ranked 13th — Ball had only one touchdown.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He got a very close win against Groves because he was losing almost every round.

Independent

MIT excelled under pressure and pulled out a few close wins.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In February, City Councilman Larry B. Seabrook was charged, among things, with helping a close associate win a contract to install boilers at Yankee Stadium.

The New York Times

Historically, neither a Clinton landslide nor a close Trump win can be ruled out with 80-plus days to go.

The New York Times

Local lad Kevin Satchell got off the canvas to keep his British flyweight belt with a close points win over Scotland's Iain Butcher.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a close win" to clearly convey that the victory was achieved by a small margin. This adds nuance and emphasizes the competitive nature of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a close win" when describing situations that are not competitive or where the margin of success is not a key factor. This can create confusion and dilute the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close win" functions as a noun phrase, where "close" modifies the noun "win". It describes a specific type of victory achieved by a narrow margin. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a close win" is a noun phrase used to describe a victory achieved by a narrow margin. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. It's frequently found in news and media contexts to describe sporting events, elections, or other competitive scenarios. While "a close win" is generally versatile, it’s crucial to use it when referring to events characterized by competition and a small margin of victory to maintain clarity. Alternatives include "narrow victory", "tight win", and "hard-fought victory", offering subtle variations in meaning. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise communication. With a source quality score of 84 and an expert rating of 4.5, this analysis confirms the phrase's reliability and common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrow victory

Emphasizes the small margin of victory.

tight win

Implies that the win was achieved with difficulty.

hard-fought victory

Highlights the effort and struggle involved in achieving the win.

edge-of-your-seat win

Conveys the excitement and tension associated with the close victory.

squeaked out a win

Suggests that the win was barely achieved.

razor-thin win

Highlights the extremely small margin of victory, like the edge of a razor.

close-run thing

An idiom that emphasizes the near possibility of defeat.

photo finish

Describes a victory so close it requires a photo to determine the winner.

nail-biting victory

Emphasizes the anxiety and tension experienced during the event.

last-gasp win

Indicates that the win was achieved at the very last moment.

FAQs

How can I use "a close win" in a sentence?

You can use "a close win" to describe a situation where victory was achieved by a narrow margin. For example: "The team secured "a close win" after a tense final quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a close win"?

Alternatives to "a close win" include "narrow victory", "tight win", or "hard-fought victory". Each of these phrases conveys a similar meaning but with slightly different nuances.

Which is correct, "a close win" or "a closely win"?

"A close win" is correct. "Closely" is an adverb and doesn't fit the structure, while "close" functions as an adjective describing the win.

What's the difference between "a close win" and "a decisive win"?

"A close win" indicates that the victory was achieved by a small margin, suggesting a competitive contest. In contrast, "a decisive win" indicates a clear and unambiguous victory, implying a significant difference in performance.