What does “Close shave” mean?
"Close shave" means a situation where something dangerous or harmful almost happened, but you narrowly avoided it.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I had a close shave when I almost got hit by a car while crossing the street.
Example
It was a close shave when the plane's engine failed, but the pilot managed to land safely.
Example
He had a close shave when he narrowly missed being caught by the police during the robbery
Is “Close shave” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Close shave” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Close shave” effectively in context?
You can use "Close Shave" to describe a situation where you narrowly avoided a dangerous or harmful outcome. It emphasizes the element of luck or close call. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this idiom:
- 1Traffic
I had a close shave when I almost got hit by a car while crossing the street.
- 2Travel
It was a close shave when the plane's engine failed, but the pilot managed to land safely.
- 3Crime
He had a close shave when he narrowly missed being caught by the police during the robbery.
Similar phrases to “Close shave”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Close shave” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Close Shave" is believed to come from the practice of shaving with a straight razor. A close shave refers to a very precise and careful shave, where the razor comes dangerously close to the skin without causing any harm. Over time, the phrase evolved to describe any situation where something dangerous or harmful almost happened, but you narrowly avoided it.
Is “Close shave” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Close Shave" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where they narrowly avoided a dangerous or harmful outcome.
What tone does “Close shave” have?
"Close Shave" conveys a tone of relief and gratitude. It's often used to express gratitude for narrowly escaping a potentially harmful situation.
Can “Close shave” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Close Shave" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a common experience. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I had a close shave when I narrowly avoided a car accident.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'That was a "close shave"!' to express relief after a near-miss incident.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- narrow escape
- near miss
- hair's breadth
- lucky break
- fortunate escape
Antonyms
- catastrophe
- disaster
- direct hit
- unfortunate accident
- tragic outcome
