cut it close
idiom
variants
or chiefly British cut it fine
: to almost not be able to do something : to almost fail, lose, etc.
They ended up winning the game, but they really cut it close at the end
It's cutting it a bit fine to get to the station at 9:45 when the train leaves at 9:50!
Examples of cut it close in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s one big legal hurdle: The 12th Amendment → Biden makes history, but 2 other sitting presidents cut it close to Election Day
→ What does Kamala Harris’ record show?
—
Michael Wilner, Sacramento Bee, 25 July 2024
This isn’t the Thanksgiving to cut it close at the airport.
—Alison Sider, WSJ, 19 Nov. 2023
There are two types of people: those who show up to the airport hours before their flight, and those who cut it close.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2023
For those who like to cut it close, consider flying out of John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio.
—Dallas News, 20 Dec. 2022
There is no reason to cut it close.
—Dawn Gilbertson, WSJ, 25 May 2022
Pfizer and BioNTech put in a request on Tuesday to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize third doses for all adults who are at least 18 years old, but the timeline could cut it close for those interested in getting a booster shot before their turkey dinner.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2021
The Rangers cut it close but ultimately signed second-round pick Aaron Zavala, 14th-round pick Tucker Mitchell and 18th-round selection Kyle Larsen before Sunday’s deadline to sign MLB draft selections.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 1 Aug. 2021
A couple scores by Baylor (1-2, 1-2 Big 12) in the fourth quarter cut it close, but the Longhorns (3-2, 2-2) got a crucial fourth-down stop late to secure the victory.
—Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, 24 Oct. 2020
Michael Wilner, Sacramento Bee, 25 July 2024
This isn’t the Thanksgiving to cut it close at the airport.
—Alison Sider, WSJ, 19 Nov. 2023
There are two types of people: those who show up to the airport hours before their flight, and those who cut it close.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2023
For those who like to cut it close, consider flying out of John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio.
—Dallas News, 20 Dec. 2022
There is no reason to cut it close.
—Dawn Gilbertson, WSJ, 25 May 2022
Pfizer and BioNTech put in a request on Tuesday to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize third doses for all adults who are at least 18 years old, but the timeline could cut it close for those interested in getting a booster shot before their turkey dinner.
—Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2021
The Rangers cut it close but ultimately signed second-round pick Aaron Zavala, 14th-round pick Tucker Mitchell and 18th-round selection Kyle Larsen before Sunday’s deadline to sign MLB draft selections.
—Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 1 Aug. 2021
A couple scores by Baylor (1-2, 1-2 Big 12) in the fourth quarter cut it close, but the Longhorns (3-2, 2-2) got a crucial fourth-down stop late to secure the victory.
—Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, 24 Oct. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cut it close.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cut it close
Cite this Entry
“Cut it close.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20it%20close. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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