damn close

USAGE SUMMARY

"damn close" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express that something is very near to a particular point or standard. Example: "The project was damn close to being completed on time." Alternative expressions include "very close" and "almost there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's pretty damn close.

The New York Times

But they were damn close.

The Washington Post

"Frankie is pretty damn close.

The New York Times

It was pretty damn close to crying.

The Washington Post

"It was damn close to exploding," Mr. Scott said.

The New York Times

And we stuck pretty damn close to it".

The New Yorker

Chefs rarely produce dramatic, eureka-style inventions, but blackened redfish came pretty damn close.

The New Yorker

That doesn't mean I don't have sex, but it's damn close".

The New York Times

My feeling is we got pretty damn close to it all coming apart".

The Guardian - Business

Not a 100% test pass in the popsicle test, but pretty damn close.

The Guardian

That's just… That's not walk-off interference call levels of wackiness but damn close.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "damn close" to emphasize a near miss, a close approximation, or a high degree of similarity when a more emphatic tone is desired. The phrase adds a layer of intensity compared to milder alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "damn close" in formal or professional settings where the strong language might be considered inappropriate. Opt for alternatives like "very near" or "almost there" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "damn close" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the degree to which something approaches a certain state or outcome. It emphasizes proximity, be it physical or metaphorical, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

TechCrunch

14%

Huffington Post

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "damn close" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is very near or almost achieved. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves as an adjectival modifier, conveying a sense of proximity with an added emotional emphasis. While versatile, "damn close" is best suited for informal to neutral contexts, as it may be inappropriate for formal or professional writing. Alternatives like "very near" or "almost there" can be used to maintain a more professional tone. Overall, "damn close" is a useful phrase for adding emphasis to a description of nearness, but it's crucial to consider the audience and context to ensure its appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very near

Implies physical or metaphorical proximity, similar to being "damn close" but without the strong emotional connotation.

almost there

Suggests nearing completion or achievement, focusing on progress more than simple proximity.

nearly exact

Highlights the precision of an approximation, useful when accuracy is key.

practically the same

Emphasizes equivalence, useful when comparing two things that are almost indistinguishable.

in the ballpark

Indicates a rough estimate or approximation, implying a degree of uncertainty.

a hair's breadth away

Emphasizes how something was just barely missed or achieved.

within spitting distance

Suggests being physically very near, often used informally.

on the verge of

Indicates being at the brink of something happening or being achieved.

close but no cigar

Conveys a sense of near success but ultimate failure.

just about

Indicates that something is very nearly the case.

FAQs

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

You can use "damn close" to describe something that nearly achieved a certain state or result. For example: "The project was "damn close" to being completed on time."

What are some alternatives to using "damn close"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "very near", "almost there", or "nearly exact" /s/depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "damn close" in formal writing?

No, "damn close" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use more neutral alternatives like "very close" or "nearly".

What does "damn close" actually mean?

"Damn close" means very near or almost achieving something. It implies that the outcome was just short of the desired result or state.