brush with death

USAGE SUMMARY

"brush with death" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The phrase is used to refer to an experience that was dangerous or life-threatening. For example, "After I was in a serious car accident, I had a brush with death."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You just had a brush with death".

The New York Times - Arts

I'd had no brush with death so close as this".

The New York Times - Books

In 2004, Almond had his closest brush with death yet.

The Guardian - Music

A first brush with death has had profound effects even on longtime officers.

The New York Times

In early interviews after her recovery, she seemed intoxicated by her brush with death.

The New York Times - Books

An ex-wife was tracked down, a current fiancee, a previous brush with death discovered.

The Guardian - Money

His wife, too, has had what Edmondson describes as "her own brush with death".

The Guardian

In the following days, J.A.'s brush with death became a blurred memory.

The New Yorker

Even a brush with death was rarely a turning point for an addict.

The New Yorker

Nixon's brush with death came about two months after his resignation.

The New York Times

It has been hard coming to terms with her own brush with death, she says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brush with death", ensure the context clearly indicates the severity of the situation and the imminence of danger. Avoid using it for minor incidents.

Common error

Avoid using "brush with death" for situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly dangerous. This phrase is reserved for events where death was a real possibility, and using it otherwise dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brush with death" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of experience. It typically acts as an object or complement within a sentence, providing a vivid description of an event. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brush with death" is a common and vivid way to describe an experience where someone narrowly avoids dying. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can be considered neutral in register, it's important to reserve it for situations where death was a genuine possibility, avoiding its overuse in less severe incidents. Alternatives like "near-death experience" or "close call" can be used depending on the specific context. With a strong source quality score and expert rating, using "brush with death" effectively enhances the impact of your writing by conveying the gravity of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near-death experience

Specifically denotes an experience where someone almost dies, sometimes involving perceived out-of-body sensations.

escape from death

Emphasizes the act of avoiding death, often implying a direct threat.

close call

Refers to a situation where danger was narrowly avoided, without explicitly mentioning death.

dodging death

Implies actively avoiding death, similar to dodging a physical object.

close shave

An informal expression for narrowly avoiding a dangerous or unpleasant situation, similar to "close call".

narrow escape

Highlights the act of successfully avoiding a dangerous situation, focusing on the escape itself.

close encounter with fatality

A more formal and explicit way of saying someone almost died.

flirtation with death

Suggests a more playful or less serious encounter with the possibility of dying.

life-threatening situation

A more clinical term that describes an event that puts someone's life at risk.

facing mortality

Highlights the realization of one's own mortality due to a dangerous situation.

FAQs

How can I use "brush with death" in a sentence?

You can use "brush with death" to describe a situation where someone narrowly avoided dying. For example, "After the car accident, he described it as a "brush with death"".

What is the meaning of "brush with death"?

"Brush with death" refers to an experience where someone comes very close to dying but survives. It implies a near-fatal encounter.

What can I say instead of "brush with death"?

You can use alternatives like "near-death experience", "close call", or "narrow escape" depending on the context.

Is "brush with death" a formal or informal expression?

"Brush with death" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "life-threatening situation" may be preferred in certain professional settings.