dodge a bullet

phrase

variants or less commonly dodge the bullet
: to narrowly avoid an unwelcome, harmful, or disastrous outcome or occurrence
Coastal towns dodged a bullet when the hurricane veered out to sea.

Examples of dodge a bullet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although the oil market largely dodged a bullet after a successful but repairable attack on Saudi Arabia’s crucial East-West pipeline, the recent attacks prove that the conflict isn’t abating anytime soon. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dodge a bullet was in 1960

Rhymes for dodge a bullet

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Browse Nearby Words

Dodge
dodge a bullet
dodgeball
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Cite this Entry

“Dodge a bullet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dodge%20a%20bullet. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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