narrow squeak
Barely made it
A narrow squeak is a barely successful escape from danger or failure—you got through, but just barely.
The image suggests something squeezed through a gap so tight it squeaks: That was a narrow squeak—another inch and the car would have hit us.
British in origin and flavor, roughly synonymous with close call or near miss.
Extremely narrow margin
- whiskerStiff facial bristle
- inchTwelfth of a foot
- razor's edgePrecarious dividing line
- photo finishRace decided by camera
neck and neck · dead heat · nip and tuck · down to the wire · split second · shave · margin · scrape
Swift departure or retreat
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- close callDisaster narrowly averted
- slip awayDepart without detection
- extricateFree from entanglement
dodge · survival · breakout · flee · elude · scramble · scrape through · wriggle out
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- nail-bitingExtremely tense or anxious
- edge-of-seatIntensely suspenseful experience
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
breathless · nerve-wracking · white-knuckle · gripping · anxiety · relief · drama · anticipation
Wealth or destiny
- flukeChance stroke of luck
- providenceDivine protective care
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
miracle · lucky break · reprieve · blessing · stroke of luck · windfall · providential · fortuitous
hairbreadth
Extremely narrow margin
- whiskerStiff facial bristle
- inchTwelfth of a foot
- razor's edgePrecarious dividing line
photo finish · neck and neck · dead heat · nip and tuck · down to the wire · split second · shave · margin · scrape · skin of teeth
getaway
Swift departure or retreat
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- close callDisaster narrowly averted
- slip awayDepart without detection
extricate · dodge · survival · breakout · flee · elude · scramble · scrape through · wriggle out · sidestep
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
- nail-bitingExtremely tense or anxious
- edge-of-seatIntensely suspenseful experience
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
adrenaline · breathless · nerve-wracking · white-knuckle · gripping · anxiety · relief · drama · anticipation · thrilling
fortune
Wealth or destiny
- flukeChance stroke of luck
- providenceDivine protective care
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
serendipity · miracle · lucky break · reprieve · blessing · stroke of luck · windfall · providential · fortuitous · charmed