near miss
or near-miss
noun
a strike by a missile that is not a direct hit but is close enough to damage the target.
an instance of two vehicles, aircraft, etc., narrowly avoiding a collision.
something that falls narrowly short of its object or of success: an interesting movie, but a near miss.
Words nearby near miss
Example sentences from the Web for near miss
A recent study by solar physicists points out that we had a near-miss with a strong solar storm back in 2012.
If the 2000 Florida recount felt like a multi-car collision, then 2012 was a near-miss.
Obama Needs to Embrace Voting Reform in 2013 State of the Union |Michael Waldman, Lawrence Norden |February 12, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for near miss
near miss
noun
a bomb, shell, etc, that does not exactly hit the target
any attempt or shot that just fails to be successful
an incident in which two vehicles narrowly avoid collision
Idioms and Phrases with near miss
near miss
A narrowly avoided mishap; also, an attempt that falls just short of success. For example, It was a near miss for that truck, since the driver had crossed the center strip into on-coming traffic, or Her horse kept having a near miss in every race, so she decided to sell it. This expression originated during World War II, when it signified a bomb exploding in the water near enough to a ship to damage its hull. Soon afterward it acquired its present meanings.