Meaning of "near tears" idiom


What is the meaning of "near tears" idiom?


Example:



When I was 18, while hiking with a friend in Colorado, I tried to impress him by climbing up a rock. A minute later, realizing I was stuck, I called down to him, near tears.



Urban Dictionary describes idiom as "a feeling of rapture". But as I understand from example it has opposite meaning.



Answer




Oxford Dictionary of English - Page 1185 Angus Stevenson - 2010


near preposition


3 close to (a state); verging on: she gave a tiny smile, brave but near tears | she was near to death. 2a small amount below (another amount): temperatures near 2 million degrees.



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