close to capsizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to capsizing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a boat or ship is nearly overturning or losing stability, often used metaphorically to indicate being on the verge of failure or disaster. Example: "The company was close to capsizing due to financial mismanagement, but a new strategy helped stabilize its operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It came close to capsizing".

Independent

"Just as the hubris of headstrong shipbuilders who insisted that the Titanic was unsinkable led to an unparalleled maritime disaster, so Cameron's overweening pride has come unnecessarily close to capsizing this project," he wrote, calling it "a hackneyed, completely derivative copy of old Hollywood romances".

The New Yorker

A film critic for the Los Angeles Times wrote that "Cameron's overweening pride has come close to capsizing this project" and that the film was "a hackneyed, completely derivative copy of old Hollywood romances".

Wikipedia

The JCS leaked some classified information to the press, embarrassing Nixon and coming close to capsizing U.S. policy toward the India and Pakistan, then at war with each other.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That was quite a relief to Outteridge, who had the gold medal in sight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics only to capsize close to the finish line.

The New York Times - Sports

See articleA high cost for European entryItaly said it would hold a state funeral for the hundreds of migrants from Africa who died after their boat capsized close to the island of Lampedusa on October 3rd.

The Economist

The boat capsized close to the mouth of the Golden Gate Bridge at 3 p.m. Pacific time, and a strong ebb current carried the boat more than two miles out into the ocean.

The New York Times - Sports

"Schettino's indictment certainly did not come unexpected," said Francesco Pepe, one of the captain's lawyers, who attended a pretrial hearing on Wednesday in Grosseto, a Tuscan city close to where the ship capsized.

The New York Times

Italy is to hold a state funeral for the hundreds of migrants who died after their boat capsized close to the island of Lampedusa last Thursday.

BBC

Take a deep breath, squeeze the red sphere to close the valve, and exhale into the bag.At that point, we began to capsize.

The Economist

But complacency would be folly: the closer Israel and the Palestinians get to a permanent peace, the more dissenters, on both sides, will be determined to capsize it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to capsizing" when you want to convey that something is at a critical point and could easily fail or become unstable. It’s particularly effective when describing situations involving risk, mismanagement, or external pressures.

Common error

Avoid using "close to capsizing" in contexts that don't involve a sense of instability or imminent failure. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Choose a more appropriate term that accurately reflects the situation if there's no real danger of 'overturning'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to capsizing" functions primarily as a modifier, often describing a noun (like a boat, a project, or a company) that is in a precarious or unstable state. It suggests an imminent risk of failure or collapse, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to capsizing" is a phrase that effectively communicates a state of imminent instability or potential failure. While deemed correct by Ludwig AI, its usage should be reserved for situations where there's a genuine risk of something 'overturning,' whether literally or metaphorically. The phrase appears more frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting its accessibility to a broad audience. When writing, it's important to ensure the metaphor is appropriate and doesn't dilute the intended message. Alternatives like "on the brink of failure" or "nearing collapse" can offer nuanced replacements depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of overturning

This alternative strongly implies imminent physical instability, similar to a boat nearly capsizing.

nearing collapse

This phrase shifts the focus to structural or systemic failure, applicable to organizations or systems.

on the brink of failure

This highlights the risk of not succeeding, suitable for projects, businesses, or endeavors.

approaching disaster

This suggests a catastrophic outcome is looming, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

almost sinking

This maintains the nautical metaphor while emphasizing the potential for complete failure.

close to going under

This is a more colloquial expression for facing imminent downfall or ruin.

nearly destabilizing

This focuses on the loss of stability, useful in political or social contexts.

on the edge of ruin

This emphasizes the potential for irreversible damage or destruction.

verging on catastrophe

This highlights the potential for a sudden and widespread disaster.

about to be defeated

This focuses on the potential for loss in a competition or struggle.

FAQs

What does "close to capsizing" mean?

The phrase "close to capsizing" describes a situation that is on the verge of failure or disaster, similar to a boat almost overturning. It implies a precarious state where a slight imbalance could lead to collapse.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "close to capsizing"?

It's appropriate when discussing situations involving risk, instability, or mismanagement, where something is teetering on the edge of failure. For example, a company "close to capsizing" due to financial problems or a political alliance nearly "capsizing" due to internal disagreements.

What are some alternative phrases to "close to capsizing"?

You can use alternatives like "on the brink of failure", "nearing collapse", or "on the verge of overturning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "close to capsizing" be used in a literal sense only?

While it can be used literally to describe a boat or ship almost overturning, it is often used metaphorically to describe any situation that is unstable and at risk of failing. Using it literally can sometimes be confused with the word "capsize".