near miss
Barely avoided collision
A near miss is a close call—something that almost happened but didn't.
The phrase typically describes narrowly avoided collisions or disasters: The plane had a near miss with a flock of geese.
Confusingly, near miss can also mean something that almost succeeded: Her audition was a near miss; they went with someone more experienced.
Context usually clarifies whether the miss was fortunate or unfortunate.
Forceful contact between objects
- accidentUnintended harmful event
- crashSudden violent impact
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- close callDisaster narrowly averted
brush · incident · scrape · hazard · fender bender · scare · close shave · graze
Flight from captivity
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- reprievePostponement of punishment
- safetyFreedom from harm
- exhaleExpel breath outward
gratitude · thankfulness · dodged bullet · second chance · breathing room · sigh · narrow squeak · save
Abrupt directional change
- brakeDevice to slow motion
- reactionResponse to stimulus
- tailgateRear vehicle hatch
- blind spotArea of blocked perception
intersection · merge · lane change · rear-end · T-bone · fender bender · defensive driving · honk
A distinct event
- reportFormal written findings
- collision avoidancePreventing objects from hitting
- separationState of being apart
- go-aroundAbandoned landing attempt
evasive action · flight safety · air traffic · clearance · deviation
Quick sudden movement
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
- surgeSudden powerful increase
gasp · pulse · startle · freeze · trembling · shaking · white-knuckle · breathless
Chance stroke of luck
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- providenceDivine protective care
lucky break · stroke of luck · twist of fate · blessing · coincidence · good fortune · karma · charmed
collision
Forceful contact between objects
close call · brush · incident · scrape · hazard · fender bender · scare · close shave · graze · glancing blow
escape
Flight from captivity
exhale · gratitude · thankfulness · dodged bullet · second chance · breathing room · sigh · narrow squeak · save · rescue
swerve
Abrupt directional change
blind spot · intersection · merge · lane change · rear-end · T-bone · fender bender · defensive driving · honk · screech
incident
A distinct event
- reportFormal written findings
- collision avoidancePreventing objects from hitting
- separationState of being apart
go-around · evasive action · flight safety · air traffic · clearance · deviation
rush
Quick sudden movement
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
surge · gasp · pulse · startle · freeze · trembling · shaking · white-knuckle · breathless · racing heart
fluke
Chance stroke of luck
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- fortuneWealth or destiny
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
providence · lucky break · stroke of luck · twist of fate · blessing · coincidence · good fortune · karma · charmed · fortunate
- chasespursuit, chase, flee, fleeing, escape
- close callsclose call, close shave, nick of time, skin of teeth, hair's breadth
- suspensesuspense, suspenseful, tension, nail-biter, nail-biting
- experiencesadventure, journey, moment, event, feeling
- safetysafety helmet, hazard, airbag, alert, occupational safety
- failuresfailure, failures, flop, flops, bust
near missdirect hit
Strike exactly on target
collision · impact · crash · strike · head-on collision
near missdisaster
Sudden ruinous event
catastrophe · tragedy · calamity · fatality · lucky escape
mistake, nearly, nearby, missing, missed, mishap, nearing, misses, nearest