a close call/a narrow escape

[quietdandelion]

On November 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes tried to use gunpowder to blow up the king of England! Fawkes was caught in time, but it was a close call/a narrow escape!



Do both a close call and a narrow escape work in the above context? If not, what are the semantic differences between them? Thanks.

 

[paulmp]

A close call would be better in this context, but I think they would both work. A narrow escape is a situation in which you were lucky because you just managed to avoid danger or trouble. A close call is a situation where something very unpleasant or dangerous nearly happened.
"In my early life I had a narrow escape from death by poisoning."
"Whoops! I almost dropped that vase...close call!"

 

[Prairiefire]

I'd be interested in others' interpretations, but to me a 'narrow escape' implies that the person who avoided harm had to take some action to make good his escape.

'Close call' implies that it was just due to luck or circumstance that the person was not harmed.

 

[paulmp]

I agree with Prairiefire...In the sentence, "On November 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes tried to use gunpowder to blow up the king of England! Fawkes was caught in time, but it was a ___"
I would use "a close call" because apparently, the torch that was going to be used to light the gunpowder was snatched from Fawkes's hand right before he completed the task.

 

[gregitaliano]

People also use 'close shave' or 'close run thing'

 

[quietdandelion]

Thanks, Prairiefire and Paul, for the clear replies.

 

[quietdandelion]

People also use 'close shave' or 'close run thing'

Thanks, greg.
Just to make sure how to use them right, is it right to utter "It's a close shave/close run thing?"

 

[gregitaliano]

'That was a close shave, nearly forgetting your passport'

'Well done to her for coming first, but it was a close run thing' (ie just about winning a race, for example)

Greg

 

[quietdandelion]

'That was a close shave, nearly forgetting your passport'

'Well done to her for coming first, but it was a close run thing' (ie just about winning a race, for example)

Greg

Thanks, greg.
Just to make sure again, does the expression only apply to a race--it was a close run thing?

 

[gregitaliano]

No, it can be applied to any general situation
for example-
'it was a close run thing whether I would catch the train on time'
or' I think I will reach him in time but it will be a close run thing'
'the final result was a close run thing, a goal being scored in the final minute of the match'

 

[ManOfWords]

hi there, could I say [a lightning almost hit me ... phew! that was a close call!] thanks