have a near miss

have a near miss

To barely avoid danger or problems. Used literally, it usually refers to a potential collision of some kind. I had a near miss when that deer jumped out in front of my car! Luckily, I swerved in time and managed to avoid hitting it. That senator really had a near miss when the charges against him were dropped due to a technicality.See also: have, miss, near

have a near miss

Fig. to nearly crash or collide. The airplanes—flying much too close—had a near miss. I had a near miss with a bike while driving over here.See also: have, miss, near