How Do You Spell NEAR MISS?

Pronunciation: [nˌi͡ə mˈɪs] (IPA)

The spelling of the phrase "near miss" may seem contradictory but it is actually a combination of two separate words. The word "near" is pronounced as /nɪər/, while the word "miss" is pronounced as /mɪs/. When combined, the resulting phrase is pronounced as /ˈnɪər ˌmɪs/. The phrase refers to a situation where a potential disaster is narrowly avoided, with the object or person in question missing the potential danger by a small distance.

NEAR MISS Meaning and Definition

  1. Near miss refers to an incident or event that narrowly avoids causing a catastrophic or disastrous outcome. It is a term commonly used in the context of accidents, collisions, or potential dangers. A near miss can occur in various settings, including workplaces, transportation, medical procedures, or even everyday activities.

    The term implies that there was a close call or a situation where the potential for harm or damage was exceptionally high but did not actually result in any significant consequences. Although no real harm was suffered, the near miss serves as a warning sign and highlights the close proximity to a disaster.

    In the workplace, for example, a near miss could involve an employee nearly being struck by a falling object, narrowly escaping an explosion, or avoiding a machinery malfunction. Similarly, in transportation, a near miss may involve a vehicle narrowly avoiding a collision, narrowly missing a pedestrian, or narrowly averting a potential accident. Near misses can also refer to instances in healthcare, where medical professionals narrowly avoid making a critical error during medical procedures or treatment.

    The importance of identifying and reporting near misses lies in their potential to reveal underlying hazards or risky practices that should be addressed to prevent future accidents or catastrophic events. By studying near misses, organizations, industries, or individuals can enhance safety measures, improve protocols, and implement preventative actions to avoid similar incidents.

Common Misspellings for NEAR MISS

  • bear miss
  • mear miss
  • jear miss
  • hear miss
  • nwar miss
  • nsar miss
  • ndar miss
  • nrar miss
  • n4ar miss
  • n3ar miss
  • nezr miss
  • nesr miss
  • newr miss
  • neqr miss
  • neae miss
  • nead miss
  • neaf miss
  • neat miss
  • nea5 miss
  • nearmiss

Etymology of NEAR MISS

The term "near miss" originated in aviation in the early 20th century. It combines the words "near" and "miss" to describe a situation where two aircraft come dangerously close to colliding but manage to avoid a collision at the last moment. The word "near" signifies proximity or closeness, while "miss" refers to the avoidance of disaster or harm. Over time, the term "near miss" has been adopted in various fields and contexts to describe similar situations where a potential disaster was narrowly averted.

Idioms with the word NEAR MISS

  • a near miss The idiom "a near miss" refers to a situation in which something or someone comes very close to a potential disaster or failure but ultimately avoids it. It describes an incident in which someone narrowly escapes danger or narrowly avoids a negative outcome by a very small margin.
  • have a near miss The idiom "have a near miss" is used to describe a situation in which a potentially dangerous or harmful event almost occurs, but is narrowly avoided in the end. It suggests that there was a very close call or a narrow escape from disaster or harm.

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