close shave

USAGE SUMMARY

"close shave" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to describe a situation where something narrowly avoided disaster or a bad outcome. For example, "It was a close shave, but we managed to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Another close shave.

The Guardian - Travel

TALK about a close shave.

The Economist

No, not a "close shave".

The Guardian

It's a close shave for you".

Independent

A close shave for us all.

The Guardian - Music

He had neat hair and a close shave.

The New York Times

Bryn Terfel's Sweeney Todd gives Philip Quast a close shave.

The Guardian

"My life is one close shave after another".

The New York Times

He'd already had one close shave with Hollywood in the aftermath of Love Actually.

Independent

For the prisoner it was another close shave with the law.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You'll have a less-close shave, but it will also be less irritating.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In literal contexts regarding grooming, ensure the adjective 'close' is used to describe the proximity of the razor to the skin for a smooth result.

Common error

Do not use 'closed shave' when you mean a near miss. The adjective is 'close' (meaning near), not the past participle of the verb 'to close'. For example, write 'That was a "close shave"' rather than 'That was a closed shave'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close shave" primarily functions as a noun phrase. In its idiomatic sense, it acts as a count noun to describe an event. In its literal sense, it describes the quality of a grooming action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is frequently used as the subject or object of a sentence to highlight a narrow margin of error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

General Writing

15%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Legal

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "close shave" is a versatile and correct English expression used both literally and figuratively. As noted by Ludwig, it is most frequently employed in news and media to describe a "narrow escape" from a dangerous or undesirable situation, such as an accident or a recession. Its literal meaning remains equally relevant in the world of personal care, referring to a very short and smooth shave. Whether you are writing a dramatic news headline or a grooming guide, "close shave" provides a punchy, evocative way to describe proximity to an edge, whether that edge is a razor blade or a metaphorical cliff.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close call

More common in American English to describe a narrow escape from danger

narrow escape

Focuses specifically on the act of avoiding a negative outcome at the last moment

near miss

Often used in technical, aviation or safety contexts to describe an avoided collision

clean shave

Relates to the literal meaning of removing facial hair completely and smoothly

by the skin of one's teeth

A more colorful, metaphorical way to describe a very narrow margin of success

near thing

A British idiom synonymous with a narrow escape or close call

hairsbreadth

Emphasizes the extremely small distance or margin involved in an escape

squeaker

Informal term often used for close electoral or sporting victories

touch and go

Describes a situation where the outcome is uncertain and risky

tight spot

Refers to a difficult or dangerous situation rather than the escape from it

FAQs

What is the difference between a "close shave" and a "close call"?

Both refer to a "narrow escape", but "close shave" is more common in British English and can also literally refer to a smooth facial shave, whereas "close call" is the preferred term in American English for dangerous near-misses.

Can "close shave" be used in formal writing?

It is generally considered a neutral idiom. While appropriate for journalism and storytelling, in strictly academic or legal documents, it is better to use more precise terms like "near miss" or "narrow avoidance".

What is another way to say "close shave"?

You can use synonyms such as "near thing", "narrow escape", or "squeaker" depending on whether the context is a dangerous accident or a close competition.

Is "close shave" an idiom?

Yes, it is a common idiom when used to describe a situation where a disaster was narrowly avoided. However, it also retains a literal meaning in the context of personal grooming and hygiene.