near thing
C2 (Very low frequency, idiomatic)Informal, slightly literary or journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A situation where success or safety is achieved by a very narrow margin; a close call.
An event or outcome that was almost a failure or disaster; something that very nearly happened but did not.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a countable noun. Often implies a sense of relief or surprise at the narrow avoidance of a negative outcome. The adjective 'near' in this phrase functions as a pre-modifier meaning 'narrow' or 'close'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is understood and used in both varieties, but is slightly more common and entrenched in British English, particularly in sporting and military contexts.
Connotations
In both, it connotes a fortunate escape. In British English, it can carry a more understated, 'stiff-upper-lip' tone.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher relative frequency in UK English corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It was a near thing + (that-clause)have a near thing + (with something)a near thing + (for somebody)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[The phrase itself is an idiom]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used to describe a narrowly won contract or averted financial crisis: 'The merger was a near thing, but the board finally agreed.'
Academic
Very rare. Could appear in historical narratives describing battles or political events.
Everyday
Used to describe personal close calls, e.g., in traffic or sports: 'Phew, that overtake was a near thing!'
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The football match was a near thing; we scored in the last minute.
- It was a near thing, but I caught the train just as the doors closed.
- Surviving the avalanche was a very near thing; the snow stopped just short of him.
- The vote of confidence in parliament was a near thing, with the Prime Minister winning by a single vote.
- His recovery from the illness was a near thing, and for days the doctors were not optimistic.
- The company's solvency was a near thing last quarter, but a sudden injection of capital saved it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a thing (an event) that was so NEAR to being a disaster, it's still giving you a scare.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS/SAFETY IS A PHYSICAL LOCATION JUST BEYOND DANGER (we just reached it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'близкая вещь'. Use 'чудом избежать' or 'спастись чудом'.
- Do not confuse with 'nearby thing' (близлежащая вещь). The idiom refers to an event, not an object.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective: *'a near-thing event' (incorrect). It is a noun phrase: 'It was a near thing.'
- Confusing with 'near miss', which specifically implies two objects almost colliding.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'a near thing' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is generally considered informal and is more common in spoken English or narrative writing like journalism.
It is typically used for past events that have already happened and were narrowly resolved. For a future possibility, you would say 'It's going to be close' or 'It might be a close run thing.'
They are very similar synonyms. 'A near thing' can sound slightly more literary or British, while 'a close call' is very common in American English. There is no significant difference in meaning.
The most common pattern is: Subject + [be verb] + a (real/very) near thing. For example: 'The election result was a near thing.' You can also use 'have': 'We had a near thing on the motorway today.'
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