close call

A narrow escape.

Also, close shave. Narrow escape, near miss. For example, That skier just missed the tree--what a close call, or That was a close shave, nearly leaving your passport behind. The first phrase dates from the late 1800s and comes from sports, alluding to an official's decision ( call) that could have gone either way. The second, from the early 1800s, alludes to the narrow margin between closely shaved skin and a razor cut. (This latter usage replaced the much earlier equation of a close shave with miserliness, based on the idea that a close shave by a barber meant one would not have to spend money on another shave quite so soon.) Also see too close for comfort.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: something achieved (or escaped) by a narrow margin
  Synonyms: close shave, squeak, squeaker, narrow escape