expression
almost; nearly; barely; just in time
Used to describe a situation where something almost happened (often negative) but was narrowly avoided, or something barely succeeded. Typically followed by a verb in the past tense or a conditional expression.
すんでの所で電車に乗り遅れるところだった。
I almost missed the train.
すんでの所で事故を免れた。
I barely escaped the accident.
すんでの所で試験に合格した。
I just barely passed the exam.
危うく also means 'almost' or 'narrowly', but it is an adverb and often used in more formal or written contexts. すんでの所で is a set phrase and feels slightly more colloquial.
もう少しで is a common adverbial phrase meaning 'almost' or 'nearly', and is more neutral in register. すんでの所で emphasizes the narrowness of the escape or success.
The phrase is composed of すんで (from the verb 済む 'to finish, to be over') + の (possessive particle) + 所 (ところ 'place, moment') + で (particle). It literally means 'at the moment of being finished/over', implying a critical juncture where something almost concluded (often badly) but was narrowly avoided.