close thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation that was narrowly avoided or a near miss. Example: "It was a close thing, but we managed to win the game in the final seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But it's always a very close thing.

The New Yorker

The contest, in this case, is a close thing.

The New Yorker

The Indian leaders from that time told me that the decision was a very close thing.

The New Yorker

At the moment, Mr Robb has the momentum, but it will be a very close thing.

The Economist

I managed to remain snuffle-free, but it was a close thing.

Independent

Decorum over who has most is maintained, although it's a close thing.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

LA Galaxy to close things out... 8.23pm GMT 36.

The Guardian - Sport

Now the Games are so close things are getting scary.

The Guardian - Sport

"George knows how close things came," one ally said.

The Guardian

Closest thing we had to Tony Stark".

The New York Times

The closest thing is L14.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close thing" to emphasize the narrowness of a margin, whether in avoiding a negative outcome or achieving a positive one.

Common error

While "close thing" is a valid expression, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "narrow escape" or "near miss" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close thing" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subjective complement or an appositive. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig illustrate it modifying a situation, event, or decision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close thing" is a grammatically sound phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, commonly used to describe a near miss or a situation where the outcome was uncertain. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While appropriate for general use, consider more formal alternatives like "narrow margin" in professional settings. The phrase effectively conveys the idea of a situation narrowly avoided or barely achieved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near thing

A more direct synonym, simply replacing "close" with "near".

narrow escape

Focuses on the act of avoiding danger or a negative outcome.

close call

Emphasizes the uncertainty and potential danger of the situation.

near miss

Highlights the fact that something undesirable almost happened.

hair's breadth

Implies a very small margin of difference or separation.

by a whisker

An informal way of saying something was achieved or avoided by a small margin.

just barely

Emphasizes the minimal amount by which something was achieved.

squeaked through

Suggests that something was achieved with difficulty and luck.

touch-and-go situation

Indicates a precarious situation with an uncertain outcome.

nip and tuck

Describes a situation where two sides are very close and constantly changing positions.

FAQs

How can I use "close thing" in a sentence?

You can use "close thing" to describe a situation that was almost disastrous or a victory that was almost a defeat. For example, "It was a close thing, but we managed to avoid the accident."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "close thing"?

Alternatives to "close thing" include "near thing", "narrow escape", or "close call". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "close thing"?

While grammatically sound, "close thing" might sound informal in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider using a more precise or sophisticated phrase like "narrow margin" or "precarious situation".

What's the difference between "close thing" and "closest thing"?

"Close thing" describes a situation that almost happened or was narrowly avoided. "Closest thing" refers to something that is the nearest equivalent or approximation of something else, such as "This is the "closest thing" to real coffee I've had all week".