narrowly survived

USAGE SUMMARY

"narrowly survived" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something (usually a person, but sometimes an object or event) that has just barely escaped a harmful situation or outcome. For example: "The passengers were lucky to have narrowly survived the fatal plane crash."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their house in Sendai had narrowly survived the tsunami.

The New York Times - Tech

They narrowly survived two major fires at his homes.

The New York Times - Arts

She had narrowly survived the attack on the building.

The Guardian

By August 1978 he had narrowly survived a recall.

The New York Times

He narrowly survived two assassination attempts in December.

The New York Times

Ronald Reagan (1980) narrowly survived John Hinckley's bullet in 1981.

The New York Times

In December, General Musharraf narrowly survived two assassination attempts.

The New York Times

He narrowly survived his 2014 gamble over Scottish independence.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1944 Hitler narrowly survived an assassination attempt.

The Guardian - Books

He researched how his Austrian ancestors' 264 netsuke narrowly survived Nazi seizure during World War II.

The New York Times - Arts

Her husband George and her 13-year-old daughter Angela were killed; she narrowly survived.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "narrowly survived" to convey that someone or something faced a significant risk and only just managed to avoid a negative outcome. It adds a sense of drama and precariousness to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "narrowly survived" when the situation wasn't genuinely life-threatening or significantly impactful. Overusing it can dilute its effect and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrowly survived" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the subject's proximity to a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage, providing numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "narrowly survived" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively conveys a close escape from danger or a difficult situation. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from various contexts. While versatile, it is important to use it appropriately to maintain its impact. Predominantly found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles. Remember to use it when there's a genuine sense of risk and avoid overuse to prevent dilution of its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a close call

Highlights the proximity to danger or failure, suggesting a near miss.

dodged a bullet

Uses a metaphor to suggest narrowly avoiding a potentially disastrous outcome.

came within an inch of

Indicates how close someone or something was to experiencing a negative event.

barely made it

Focuses on the action of just managing to succeed or escape, emphasizing the effort involved.

lived to tell the tale

Focuses on the aftermath and the ability to recount a dangerous experience, emphasizing survival.

escaped by the skin of one's teeth

Emphasizes how minimal the margin of safety was during the escape.

squeaked through

Implies a very close and perhaps lucky escape from a difficult situation.

pulled through by a hair's breadth

Stresses the narrowness of the margin by which someone survived or succeeded.

managed to scrape through

Highlights the effort required to barely succeed or survive.

just scraped by

Suggests surviving with minimal resources or effort, often implying a lack of elegance or ease.

FAQs

What does "narrowly survived" mean?

The phrase "narrowly survived" means that someone or something almost didn't survive a dangerous or difficult situation, escaping with very little margin for error.

How can I use "narrowly survived" in a sentence?

You can use "narrowly survived" to describe situations where someone avoided a negative outcome. For example, "The old house "barely made it" through the storm" or "He "had a close call" after the accident".

What are some alternatives to "narrowly survived"?

Some alternatives to "narrowly survived" include phrases like ""barely made it"", ""had a close call"", or "dodged a bullet", depending on the context.

Is "narrowly survived" formal or informal?

The phrase "narrowly survived" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news reports and narratives.