as close as it got

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as close as it got" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the nearest point or level of something that has been achieved or experienced, often in a context of disappointment or limitation. Example: "That was as close as it got to winning the championship, but we fell short in the final game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But that was as close as it got.

The New York Times - Sports

And that was about as close as it got.

TechCrunch

The sides were tied after six minutes following a Noelle Connolly point, but this was as close as it got for Fermanagh as Pyres registered Down's first goal three minutes later.

BBC

That was as close as it got.

Los Angeles Times

San Gabriel's Troy Mulcahey walked and was later singled in by Nate Rousey, as the two current CV players combined to cut the lead to 4-1 in the second, but that was as close as it got.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Yet it is as close as it gets to its supposed ambition.

The Guardian - Film

Everything is in its place, or as close as it gets in politics.

The New York Times

But he is as close as it gets.

The New York Times - Sports

However, Zenit is as close as it gets to a state-owned team in Russia.

The New York Times - Sports

For some, the tandem bicycle is as close as it gets to love on a bike.

The New York Times

That's as close as it gets to playing three road games in the tournament.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as close as it got" to emphasize a situation where a desired outcome was nearly achieved, often implying a sense of disappointment or missed opportunity. For example: "They fought hard, and that was "as close as it got" to winning the championship this year."

Common error

Avoid using "as close as it got" when the intention is to describe something being very near physically. This phrase primarily conveys nearness to an achievement or goal, not proximity in space.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as close as it got" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent to which something approached a particular state or outcome. Ludwig AI validates its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"As close as it got" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation where a goal was nearly achieved but ultimately missed. Ludwig AI analysis, based on a limited number of examples, indicates that it is primarily used in news and media contexts. While the phrase is not particularly common, it effectively conveys a sense of near attainment and potential disappointment. Writers should use this phrase when aiming to highlight a narrow margin between success and failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came close

A more general way of saying something nearly happened or was achieved.

just missed

Emphasizes the failure to reach a target by a small margin.

fell short

Focuses on the failure to meet a specific target or expectation.

nearly achieved

Focuses on the achievement aspect, implying something was almost accomplished.

almost there

Indicates proximity to a desired outcome or location.

within reach

Suggests something was attainable but not quite grasped.

narrowly avoided

Highlights the avoidance of something negative by a small margin.

hair's breadth away

Emphasizes the extremely small distance separating success and failure.

just a whisker away

Similar to "hair's breadth away", emphasizing a tiny margin.

a near thing

British English idiom indicating something almost resulted in failure or disaster.

FAQs

How can I use "as close as it got" in a sentence?

You can use "as close as it got" to describe a situation where someone or something almost achieved a goal, but ultimately didn't. For example, "That was "as close as it got" to a perfect score, with just one minor error."

What's a similar phrase to "as close as it got"?

A similar phrase is "came close", which also indicates that someone or something nearly achieved a desired outcome.

Is "as close as it got" formal or informal?

"As close as it got" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and subject matter.

What does it mean when someone says "that was as close as it got"?

It means that the person or thing being discussed came very near to achieving something, often implying that no further progress or success is likely.