そうになった

expression

almost did; nearly did

Attaches to the -masu stem of a verb to indicate that an action almost happened but did not. Often used when something was narrowly avoided.

• 転ころびそうになったが、なんとか踏ふみとどまった。

  I almost fell, but I managed to keep my balance.

• 大だい事じな書しょ類るいを捨すてそうになった。

  I nearly threw away an important document.