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came close to being

[/keɪm kloʊs tu ˈbiːɪŋ/]
verb phrase
quase foi / esteve perto de ser
1. to nearly happen or almost become something; to be on the verge of a particular state or condition
He came close to being fired for his repeated absences.
Ele quase foi demitido por suas ausências repetidas.
2. to narrowly avoid or nearly experience a particular outcome
The project came close to being cancelled due to budget cuts.
O projeto esteve perto de ser cancelado devido aos cortes orçamentários.
Synonyms
almost wasnearly becamewas on the verge of beingwas close to beingnearly was
Antonyms
definitely wascertainly becamewas far from being

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
quase foi / esteve perto de ser
Most common usage in Brazil
São Paulo
quase virou / estava perto de ser
Alternative colloquial form
Portugal
quase foi / esteve perto de ser
Standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

a close call
a narrow escape
hung by a thread
on thin ice
by the skin of one's teeth
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