CLOSE SHAVE Meaning and
Definition
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Close shave is a popular idiomatic phrase that refers to a narrow escape or a fortunate avoidance of a dangerous or risky situation. It is used to describe a situation in which someone manages to avoid a potentially harmful or disastrous outcome by a small margin or stroke of luck.
The origin of the phrase can be traced back to the practice of shaving with a manual razor. When shaving, a close shave refers to removing facial hair very closely, leaving minimal or no stubble. This intricate and precise act of shaving requires caution and skill, as any slight mistake in handling the razor could result in cuts or nicks. Thus, a close shave became synonymous with a risk or gamble, where the consequences of failure are dangerous or consequential.
In a broader sense, close shave now symbolizes narrowly escaping harm or a narrow victory in challenging situations. It may describe avoiding an accident, narrowly evading a dangerous object or situation, or even barely winning a competition. Additionally, it can be used figuratively to depict any situation where one has narrowly escaped negative consequences or a difficult predicament.
Overall, close shave signifies a fortunate avoidance of potential harm or failure, emphasizing the narrowness of the escape and the relief that follows such a close call.
Common Misspellings for CLOSE SHAVE
- xlose shave
- vlose shave
- flose shave
- dlose shave
- ckose shave
- cpose shave
- coose shave
- clise shave
- clkse shave
- cllse shave
- clpse shave
- cl0se shave
- cl9se shave
- cloae shave
- cloze shave
- cloxe shave
- clode shave
- cloee shave
- clowe shave
Etymology of CLOSE SHAVE
The phrase "close shave" originated in the early 19th century and its etymology can be traced back to the practice of shaving with a straight razor. In this context, "close" refers to the act of shaving very near to the skin, leaving minimal hair behind. A "shave" in this context signifies the action of removing hair from the face.
Over time, the phrase "close shave" evolved to take on a metaphorical meaning to describe a narrow escape or a situation where one barely avoids danger or trouble, as if just missing the blade of a razor. It is often used to convey the idea of a situation that could have been disastrous had it not been slightly averted.
Idioms with the word CLOSE SHAVE
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a close shave
The idiom "a close shave" refers to a situation where someone narrowly avoids a dangerous or risky outcome. It is often used to describe a near-miss or a narrow escape from a potentially harmful or unpleasant situation.
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close shave or call
The idiom "close shave or call" refers to a situation where someone narrowly avoids a dangerous or unpleasant outcome. It suggests that the person's escape from harm was so close that it could be compared to the act of shaving hair off the skin without cutting it. It implies that luck or quick thinking played a significant role in avoiding the negative situation.
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have a close shave
The idiom "have a close shave" refers to a situation where someone narrowly avoids a dangerous or problematic outcome. It implies that the individual has experienced a near miss or a close call, often involving potential harm or difficulty that was narrowly averted.
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a close shave/call
The idiom "a close shave/call" refers to a situation where someone narrowly avoids danger or a harmful outcome by a very small margin. It is often used to describe a situation in which someone is lucky to have escaped from a potentially dangerous or risky situation.
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close shave
A "close shave" is a narrow escape from a dangerous or risky situation. It refers to a situation where someone avoids harm or disaster by a very small margin.
Similar spelling words for CLOSE SHAVE
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