It was a close shave, and it scares me to think about it now.

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Last month, the government had a close shave when the 2001 budget only just squeaked through Parliament.

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Aardman had previously won Oscars for the animated films Creature Comforts in 1991, The Wrong Trousers in 1994 and A Close Shave in 1996.

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England had a close shave in the second over of their innings when Strauss edged Ryan Harris just short of Ponting at second slip.

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The veteran midfielder promised to shave his head if his team-mates extended his involvement in Euro 2000 and after they survived a close shave of their own against England, Hagi was as good as his word.

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I'll take a close shave any day.

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That close shave spurred Villa into action and Dion Dublin headed the ball goalwards only for Neville to make a goal-line clearance.

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Coming on top of his close shave at last month's US Open at Bethpage, Fisher knows he is getting close to a first major.

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Indeed, it was this close shave that inspired the Colorados and the National Party (known as the Blancos), to introduce a run-off this year, with the declared aim of keeping the Front out.

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