Quick answer: “Close call” means a situation where something bad was narrowly avoided.
Close call means a close call is a situation in which something bad, dangerous, or unwanted almost happened but was narrowly avoided.
Origin & History
The phrase likely comes from sports and games, where an official's decision, or ‘call’, on a play is difficult to make because the outcome was so nearly tied or narrowly decided.
It is now used far beyond sport, for any situation where danger or failure was only just avoided.
Idioms like this are the kind of expression documented in general reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary, which record how figurative meanings develop in everyday English.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The car swerved just in time — that was a close call. | Driving, safety |
| Missing the flight by two minutes was a close call. | Travel |
| It was a close call, but the surgery was successful. | Health |
| That was a close call — we almost lost the contract. | Business |
| The exam result was a close call between a pass and a fail. | Education |
How to Use It
The idiom is used as a noun phrase with ‘a’ or ‘that was’: ‘that was a close call’, ‘it's a close call between the two options’.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
a close calling.
a close call. — ‘Call’ is the fixed noun form, not ‘calling’.
close-called.
a close call. — The phrase is used as a noun, not a verb.
close call of.
a close call between. — Use ‘between’, not ‘of’, when comparing two options.
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
Practice English Idioms
Use these exercises to master idioms in context:
Want to understand the grammar behind this? Explore our Grammar guides.
Quick Check: Close call
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Close call” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “The car swerved just in time — that was a _____.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "close call" mean?
A close call is a situation in which something bad, dangerous, or unwanted almost happened but was narrowly avoided.
Where does "close call" come from?
The phrase likely comes from sports and games, where an official's decision, or ‘call’, on a play is difficult to make because the outcome was so nearly tied or narrowly decided.
Can you give an example of "close call" in a sentence?
"The car swerved just in time — that was a close call." Another: "Missing the flight by two minutes was a close call."
Is "close call" formal or informal?
It is informal to neutral, and common in everyday spoken and written English.
What CEFR level is "close call"?
B1. It suits learners who are comfortable with figurative, idiomatic language at this level.
What are common mistakes with "close call"?
A common mistake is saying “a close calling” instead of “a close call”. ‘Call’ is the fixed noun form, not ‘calling’.
What idioms are similar to "close call"?
Related expressions include By the skin of your teeth, In the nick of time, On thin ice.
Can "close call" be used in writing?
Yes, it appears in blogs, informal articles, and everyday written messages, though very formal writing may prefer a more direct wording.
How do I practise idioms like "close call"?
Use LexFizz Flash Cards and Flip Tiles, and try using "close call" in a sentence of your own to connect the idiom to a real situation.
Can “close call” describe a decision, not just danger?
Yes, it can also mean a decision that was hard to make because two options were very evenly matched, such as an exam result or a competition.