From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclose-runclose-run /ˌkləʊs ˈrʌn◂ $ ˌkloʊs-/ adjective [only before noun] British English in a close-run competition, the winner succeeds by a very small distance or number of points, votes etc The Labour Party won the seat, but it was a close-run thing.
Examples from the Corpus
close-run• All these chores, if efficiently organized, can tilt the balance in a close-run contest.• Now, with just one win in three matches, a close-run thing against Castleford reserves, opinions are hardening.• Although it is a close-run thing arithmetically, there seems to be no real basis for this charge of bastardy.• A close-run thing, Commander, a very close-run thing.• And with Comet Swift-Tuttle due to obliterate the Earth in August 2126, it could be a close-run thing.• But it had been a very close-run thing.• The motion failed to obtain an absolute majority of 249 but it was a close-run thing.a close-run thing• And with Comet Swift-Tuttle due to obliterate the Earth in August 2126, it could be a close-run thing.• Between the two of you - well, in his own phrase, it's a close-run thing.• It had been a close-run thing.• The motion failed to obtain an absolute majority of 249 but it was a close-run thing.• Now, with just one win in three matches, a close-run thing against Castleford reserves, opinions are hardening.• Although it is a close-run thing arithmetically, there seems to be no real basis for this charge of bastardy. 