Narrow escape in cathedral area before visit (5,4)
I believe the answer is:
close call
'narrow escape' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'cathedral area before visit' is the wordplay.
'cathedral area' becomes 'close' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'visit' becomes 'call' (synonyms).
'close'+'call'='CLOSE CALL'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for close call that I've seen before include "Narrow decision" , "hang up" , "Lucky escape" , "A near thing" , "One may be disputed in court" .)