near thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "near thing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation that was very close to happening or being successful but ultimately did not. An example: "It was a near thing, but we managed to finish the project on time." Alternative expressions include "close call" and "narrow escape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It was a near thing.

The Economist

"A bit of a near thing," said Captain Mitty carelessly.

The New Yorker

He had thought it a near thing then.

The New Yorker

Acaster won, but it was a near thing.

The Guardian - Music

It was also a near thing that he wasn't dealt away by New England.

The Washington Post

So Harper may have postponed his hanging, but it was a near thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Without glasses, near things blurred & far ones looked double.

The New Yorker

"People want neighborhoods, they want to be near things, and Cos Cob is right in the middle".

The New York Times

"Near things look near, far things look far".

TechCrunch

"They have good attitude about them and they fought hard and there were a few near things near the end".

BBC

A couple of near things so far with the final pass just not quite coming off.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using alternatives like "close call" or "narrow escape" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "near thing" when the negative outcome actually occurred. It describes averted disasters, not actual ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near thing" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an appositive to describe a situation that was narrowly avoided. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "near thing" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes a situation narrowly averted. As Ludwig AI indicates, it frequently appears in news and media sources. Alternatives such as "close call" and "narrow escape" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent: highlighting the precariousness of a situation and the fortunate avoidance of a negative outcome. Remember to reserve "near thing" for scenarios where the negative event did not actually occur. "Near thing" usage is widespread, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close call

Emphasizes the risk involved and the narrow margin by which danger was avoided.

narrow escape

Highlights the act of escaping from a dangerous or undesirable situation by a small margin.

near miss

Highlights that an undesirable event almost happened, but was ultimately avoided.

close shave

Similar to 'close call', it suggests a near miss, often in situations involving potential harm or embarrassment.

hair's breadth

Focuses on the extremely small distance or margin that separated success from failure.

by the skin of one's teeth

Indicates surviving or succeeding by the narrowest of margins, often in dire situations.

by a whisker

Suggests winning or succeeding by a very small margin.

fortunate escape

Emphasizes the luck involved in avoiding an unpleasant or dangerous outcome.

squeaked by

Implies managing to succeed or pass a test/challenge with difficulty.

just barely

Emphasizes the minimal extent to which something was achieved or avoided.

FAQs

What does the phrase "near thing" mean?

A "near thing" describes a situation where something almost went wrong or failed, but ultimately a negative outcome was avoided. It signifies a close call.

How can I use "near thing" in a sentence?

You can use "near thing" to describe events that were almost disasters. For example: "It was a "near thing", but we managed to avoid the accident."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "near thing"?

You can use alternatives like "close call", "narrow escape", or "near miss" to express a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "near thing" in formal writing?

While "near thing" is widely understood, it might be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "close call" or ""narrow escape"" for a more professional tone.