too close for comfort

Definitions

1. 1

   Near enough to cause discomfort.

   • Even the neighbouring country was too close for comfort. The episode was acutely embarrassing for Victor, who returned to England boiling with silent rage.
   • He repeated the action with her other foot, and when he stood, he was much too close for comfort.
   • The lipstick pressed down on my mouth like an unwanted kiss. I froze, willing it to be over. She smiled at her handiwork, our faces far too close for comfort.
2. 2

   Near enough to be dangerous.

   • Our house at Cavenagh Road had been boarded up and abandoned when the Japanese artillery shells started falling too close for comfort.
   • In this morning's water conditions, Yuan class submarines would become detectable on the spherical array at eight thousand yards. Sierra five-seven was approaching too close for comfort.
   • From the viewpoint of our bomb shelter, we observed the Battle of Britain and all that was going on above us at the time, diving for the protection of the dugout when things happened too quickly or were too close for comfort.
3. 3

   So similar or applicable to one's situation that it causes distress.

   • When the truth gets too close for comfort, the ego needs to distract us and root us in our bodies
   • The parallel with Oman is not exact, but it is far too close for comfort – and the Sultan's shoulders are much less broad than the Shah's.
   • I moved the conversation away. It was coming too close for comfort.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      Frightening because of almost resulting in injury or disaster.

      • Thank god for schools and stranger danger, Rebecca thought with a sigh, but still, it'd been too close for comfort. Maybe it had just been someone looking for directions, but if that were the case, why take off when an adult came along?
      • That had been much too close for comfort, and it had served me right.

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