close debacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close debacle" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to describe a situation that is both near and disastrous, but the combination of "close" and "debacle" is awkward and unclear. Example: "The project was a close debacle, leaving the team scrambling to recover from the mistakes made."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The polls predict something close to debacle for him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pursed lips abound when Kate, Hanna and their moms sit, waiting to speak to the vice principal about the photo debacle that closed out last week's episode.

Huffington Post

It comes from an irritating debacle with closing a bank account which concluded with my name being misspelled on a 50 cent cheque as 'Emad Rizbollo.' I have since used this silly fumble - Rizbollo - for a variety of very serious purposes including the name of my holding company.

Huffington Post

Even the Gulf States and Israel, more "close" allies in the IS debacle, are undermining efforts by financing and arming groups in Syria they feel might serve them.

Huffington Post

But this is isn't a view shared outside the Valley, where experts warned that the debacle is likely to close the window for other tech firms considering share sales.

The Guardian - Tech

If you ask me – up to and including the turd window debacle – this is as close to a perfect date as it gets.

Vice

Despite the debacle, relievers Tony Peña, Brandon Lyon, Doug Slaten and closer José Valverde all have earned run averages under 3.00.

The New York Times - Sports

Federal officials have approved a financing plan of nearly $14.1 billion for the "Big Dig" tunnel project here, closing a chapter on a financial debacle that led to firings and criminal investigations.

The New York Times

For some British banks, including Barclays, the fines came close on the heels of another costly debacle.

The New York Times

If regulators take the lessons from JPMorgan's debacle to heart, they could close a gaping loophole in the Volcker Rule, he says.

The New York Times

Still, fissures between the large, industrialized nations and the developing countries that came to light during the leadership tussle and were widened by the Seattle debacle have been slow to close.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "close debacle" as it is not a standard or clear expression in English. Opt for clearer alternatives like "near disaster" or "narrow failure" to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Common error

Don't combine words in a way that creates ambiguity. While "debacle" refers to a disastrous event, using "close" to modify it results in an awkward phrase. Instead, choose words that directly convey the proximity to a negative outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close debacle" functions as a noun phrase intended to describe a disastrous event that almost occurred. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, the combination is grammatically awkward and lacks clarity in standard English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close debacle" is grammatically awkward and not considered standard English. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it lacks clarity, and there are no exact examples of its usage in the provided search data. To convey the intended meaning of a situation that nearly became a disaster, it's advisable to use clearer and more common alternatives such as "near disaster", "narrow failure", or "close call". These alternatives offer better clarity and are more likely to be understood in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near disaster

Replaces "debacle" with "disaster" and "close" with "near" for better clarity and common usage.

near failure

A more straightforward and common way to describe something that almost failed.

narrow escape from disaster

More descriptive and emphasizes the avoidance of a catastrophic event.

close call

An idiomatic expression indicating a situation where something negative almost happened.

narrowly avoided catastrophe

Highlights the averted catastrophic consequences.

brush with disaster

Implies a brief but significant encounter with a potential disaster.

near miss

Similar to "close call", suggesting something negative was narrowly avoided.

imminent collapse

Focuses on the impending failure or breakdown of something.

looming disaster

Suggests a disaster that is about to happen but might still be avoidable.

threat of failure

Emphasizes the potential for failure without it necessarily being imminent.

FAQs

What does "close debacle" mean?

The phrase "close debacle" isn't standard English. It seems to imply a situation that nearly became a disaster or failure. Alternatives like "near disaster" or "narrow failure" are clearer.

How can I use "near disaster" instead of "close debacle"?

Use "near disaster" to describe a situation that almost resulted in a catastrophic outcome. For instance, "The project was a "near disaster", but the team managed to recover in time."

Is "close debacle" grammatically correct?

No, "close debacle" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "near failure" or "narrowly avoided disaster".

What are some alternative ways to describe a situation that almost became a disaster?

Alternatives include "near catastrophe", "imminent failure", and "on the brink of disaster". These phrases provide clearer and more common ways to express the intended meaning.