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was almost

[wəz ˈɔlmoʊst]
verb phrase
quase foi / estava quase
1. Past tense expression indicating something nearly happened but did not occur, or came very close to occurring
It was almost midnight when they arrived.
Quase era meia-noite quando eles chegaram.
2. Expression indicating a near miss or close call in a past situation
I was almost hit by a car.
Quase fui atropelado por um carro.
Synonyms
nearly wascame close to beingwas nearlypractically was
Antonyms
definitely wascertainly wasabsolutely was

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
quase foi / estava quase
Most common usage in informal and formal contexts
São Paulo
quase foi
Standard usage, equivalent to general Brazilian
Rio de Janeiro
quase era
Alternative construction, still common and acceptable
Portugal
quase foi / estava quase
Standard European Portuguese usage, identical to Brazilian form

Related Idioms & Phrases

a close call
a near miss
touch and go
by the skin of one's teeth
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