narrow escape

USAGE SUMMARY

"narrow escape" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It literally means a close escape from danger, such as narrowly avoiding being hit while crossing the street. You might use the phrase to describe an event where someone manages to narrowly avoid a difficult or dangerous situation. For example: "He had a narrow escape when he fell out of the boat, but was fortunately rescued by a passing fisherman."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was relieved at my narrow escape.

The New York Times

We had a narrow escape.

The Guardian

Another narrow escape for Spurs.

The Guardian - Sport

He called his narrow escape lucky.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a very narrow escape.

The New York Times

The theme this year is "A Narrow Escape".

Independent

For Mr. Basescu, 60, it was a relatively narrow escape.

The New York Times

That narrow escape lies behind all of Tranströmer's poems.

The New Yorker

For every narrow escape, there were other tragic turns.

The New York Times

It was yet another narrow escape on Omaha Beach.

The Washington Post

For now, Fatima Jbouri has had a narrow escape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "narrow escape" to vividly describe situations where someone barely avoids danger or a negative outcome. The phrase adds a sense of urgency and excitement to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "narrow escape" for situations that are not genuinely dangerous or significant. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Consider alternative, more appropriate phrasing for less serious scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow escape" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a verb. It describes a situation characterized by the avoidance of danger or harm by a slim margin. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "narrow escape" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations where danger or harm is barely avoided. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and suitable for use in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in formal business and scientific sources. The analysis highlights the importance of using the phrase appropriately and avoiding overuse in mundane situations. Consider alternatives such as "close call" or "near miss" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close call

This alternative is a more informal and concise way to describe a situation where danger was narrowly avoided.

dodged a bullet

This idiom is a more modern and informal way to say that one has avoided a potentially harmful situation.

near miss

This phrase is often used in situations involving accidents or collisions that were narrowly avoided.

escape by the skin of one's teeth

This idiom emphasizes the narrowness of the escape, suggesting it was achieved with great difficulty.

averted crisis

This option underscores that a critical situation has been successfully prevented or avoided.

hair's breadth escape

This alternative is more dramatic and emphasizes the small margin by which danger was avoided.

avoided disaster

This alternative focuses on the potential for catastrophe that was averted.

lucky break

This phrase focuses on the element of luck involved in avoiding a negative outcome.

providential rescue

This alternative suggests divine intervention or a fortunate coincidence in the escape.

squeaked through

This phrase implies that one barely managed to succeed or escape a difficult situation.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow escape" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow escape" to describe a situation where someone barely avoids a dangerous or undesirable outcome. For example, "He had a "narrow escape" when a car swerved into his lane."

What can I say instead of "narrow escape"?

You can use alternatives like "close call", "near miss", or "hair's breadth escape" depending on the context.

Is "narrow escape" a common expression?

Yes, "narrow escape" is a commonly used expression to describe a situation where someone barely avoids danger or harm. It's widely understood and accepted in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "narrow escape" and "lucky break"?

"Narrow escape" emphasizes the danger that was avoided, while "lucky break" focuses on the element of good fortune or chance that led to the positive outcome. A ""narrow escape"" implies imminent danger, whereas a "lucky break" suggests a fortunate opportunity or avoidance of an inconvenience.