close play

USAGE SUMMARY

In its current form, 'close play' is not a correct or usable phrase in standard English. To use it effectively in a sentence, you would need to provide context. For example: The coach signaled for the team to close play and take a break.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's fair or foul, a close play.

The New York Times - Sports

Desmond was called out on a close play.

The New York Times - Sports

Or a close play in a meaningless game?

The New York Times - Sports

I like the close play, the play around the net.

The New York Times

Toronto had evened the score in the fifth on a very close play.

The New York Times - Sports

Last year, a similarly close play cost Johnson a touchdown, and this time it got Gresham.

The New York Times - Sports

If you do, a routine ground ball to the shortstop can be an extremely close play".

The New York Times - Sports

So umpires are trained to find the most minute differences on a close play.

The New York Times

Johnson followed this with a visit to Bell after another close play went against the Nationals.

The New York Times - Sports

Third baseman Troy Glaus threw him out in a close play.

The New York Times - Sports

Wilson Delgado failed to slide on a close play at second.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation in sports where the outcome is uncertain until the very end, use the phrase "close play" to capture the suspenseful nature of the moment. For example, "It was a "close play" at the plate, and the runner was called out."

Common error

Do not use "close play" as a standalone sentence or phrase without a clear context that indicates a specific moment of uncertainty. You need to make it clear that "close play" is part of a longer explanation or description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close play" primarily functions as a descriptor, typically used in sports, especially baseball, to denote a play where the outcome (safe or out) is very difficult to determine, often requiring careful judgment by the umpire. Ludwig AI suggests that in its current form, the phrase is not grammatically correct without additional context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close play" is very commonly used, especially in sports reporting, to describe a tense, uncertain moment where the outcome of a play is difficult to determine. While Ludwig AI characterizes the phrase as not grammatically correct in its current form without further context, its widespread use in reliable news sources such as The New York Times and The New Yorker suggests that it is an acceptable descriptor in sports-related contexts. However, be mindful of its limited scope and consider alternatives like "tight game" or "narrow margin" when appropriate. Finally, remember that its register is fairly neutral, generally leaning informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight game

Refers to a game where the score is very close, emphasizing the competitive intensity.

narrow margin

Highlights the small difference that separates success and failure in a particular instance.

photo finish

Implies that the result was so close that a photograph was needed to determine the winner.

neck and neck

Describes a situation where competitors are running almost even, with no clear leader.

razor-thin lead

Indicates a very slight advantage, suggesting the lead could easily be lost.

marginal victory

Points to a win that was achieved by a minimal amount, suggesting a hard-fought contest.

competitive match

Focuses on the high level of competition present, where the outcome is uncertain.

even contest

Indicates that the sides or individuals are well-matched and the result is difficult to predict.

hard-fought battle

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in achieving a result, with both sides contending strongly.

cliffhanger

Emphasizes the suspenseful nature of a situation where the outcome is uncertain until the very end.

FAQs

How can I describe a game that's very competitive and could go either way?

Consider using phrases like "tight game", "neck and neck", or "hard-fought battle" to emphasize the intensity and uncertainty.

What are some alternatives to 'close play' when talking about a near victory?

You might use "narrow margin", "razor-thin lead", or "marginal victory" to highlight how slight the advantage was.

How do I describe a sporting event where the outcome was only decided by a photograph?

The phrase "photo finish" aptly describes a situation where the result is too close to call without photographic evidence.

Is 'close play' always the best way to describe a nail-biting situation in sports?

While "close play" is common, it may lack the nuance of phrases like "cliffhanger" or other alternatives that better capture the specific kind of suspense involved.