What is another word for cutting it close?
Pronunciation: [kˈʌtɪŋ ɪt klˈə͡ʊs] (IPA) 
There are many phrases that can substitute for "cutting it close," meaning a situation where someone barely manages to accomplish something or meet a deadline. For instance, someone might "make it by the skin of their teeth," "slip under the wire," "squeeze by," or "barely scrape through." Alternatively, they might "dodge a bullet," "snatch victory from the jaws of defeat," or "claw back from the brink." These idioms all convey a sense of a narrow escape or a tense situation that has been overcome through skill or luck. Overall, there are many colorful and evocative ways to describe situations where someone is pushing the envelope of success.
