it was a close call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a close call" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where an outcome was nearly different, often implying that something was narrowly avoided. Example: "When the car swerved in front of us, it was a close call, but we managed to stop just in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a close call.

The New York Times - Arts

Replays suggested it was a close call.

Independent

In short, it was a close call.

The New York Times

"It was a close call for him.

The New York Times

I thought it was a close call.

The New York Times - Food

"In Brooklyn, it was a close call".

The New York Times

"It was a close call," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was a close call, Professor Epstein said.

The New York Times

I will now, but it was a close call.

The Washington Post

In cosmic terms, it was a close call.

The New York Times

By some accounts, it was a close call.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a close call" to concisely communicate that a negative outcome was narrowly avoided. It's particularly effective in storytelling or when recounting events where the risk was high.

Common error

While "it was a close call" is a useful phrase, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "near miss" or "narrow escape" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a close call" functions as an idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to communicate that an event nearly had a negative outcome, emphasizing the precariousness of the situation and the relief that the negative outcome was avoided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was a close call" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that a situation nearly resulted in a negative outcome but was narrowly avoided. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reliable news sources. While versatile, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "near miss" or "narrow escape" to maintain variety in your writing. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or highly professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was a near thing

Replaces 'call' with 'thing', emphasizing the narrowness of avoiding something.

that was a narrow escape

Focuses on the act of escaping a dangerous situation by a small margin.

that was a near miss

Highlights that an accident or problem almost happened but didn't.

it almost went wrong

Emphasizes the potential for failure that was present in the situation.

it was touch and go

Indicates a period of uncertainty where the outcome was unclear.

it was a cliffhanger

Suggests a suspenseful situation where the outcome remained uncertain until the last moment.

it hung in the balance

Implies that the outcome was uncertain and could have gone either way.

it could have gone either way

Highlights the equal possibility of different outcomes.

the margin was thin

Emphasizes the small difference between success and failure.

it was a toss-up

Suggests that the decision or outcome was very close and could have easily been different.

FAQs

What does "it was a close call" mean?

The phrase "it was a close call" signifies that a situation almost resulted in a negative outcome, but was narrowly avoided. It implies a sense of relief or tension due to the near possibility of something undesirable happening.

How can I use "it was a close call" in a sentence?

You can use "it was a close call" to describe situations like: "The car swerved, and "it was a close call", but we avoided an accident", or "It was a close call whether they would win the game, but they managed to score in the final seconds."

What are some alternatives to "it was a close call"?

Some alternatives to "it was a close call" include phrases like "that was a near thing", "that was a narrow escape", or "that was a near miss". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "it was a close call" formal or informal?

"It was a close call" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly professional or academic writing.