Security forces managed to free the hostages, but it was a very close thing.安全部队设法救了人质，但那真是虎口余生啊。It was really a close thing that he survived the accident.他在事故中幸存下来，真是死里逃生。The car just missed the child but it was a very close thing.汽车差点撞着小孩，就差那么一点点。He nearly died - it was a very close thing.他几乎丢了性命，就差一点点。