close
To move something so that it is not open anymore.
To move or fasten something so that an opening is covered or blocked.
To finish or stop something, like a meeting or a shop's work for the day.
To bring an event, process, or period of operation to an end.
Near in place or time, or having a strong relationship with someone.
Being near in space, time, or having a strong personal connection.
To move things together so there is no space between them.
To move two or more parts so that there is no gap between them.
To finish making a business agreement or selling something.
To successfully complete and formalize a business arrangement or transaction.
- Base: close
- Comparative: closer
- Superlative: closest
- Base: close
- 3rd Person Singular: closes
- Present Participle: closing
- Past: closed
close down
1Stop operating a business or service
To stop running a business or service, often forever.
- The factory closed down last year due to low demand.
- They had to close down the restaurant after only six months.
close in on
1Move nearer to capture/attack target
To move closer to someone or something in order to catch them.
- The police were closing in on the suspect.
- The soldiers closed in on their target.
come close to
1Almost achieve or experience something
To nearly do or feel something.
- She came close to winning the race.
- I came close to falling asleep during the lecture.
close call
1Narrow escape from danger or trouble
A situation where something bad almost happened but did not.
- That was a close call—we almost hit that car!
- That was a close call — we almost hit that car!
- It was a close call, but we finished before the deadline.
- It was a close call, but we made it on time.
behind closed doors
1with no outsiders present
in a private place, with no people from outside watching or listening
- The negotiations took place behind closed doors.
- Important negotiations took place behind closed doors.
- The key decisions were made behind closed doors.
- They prefer to discuss family matters behind closed doors.
- They always argue behind closed doors.
- They like to keep their negotiations behind closed doors.
- A lot of bullying happens behind closed doors, where teachers cannot see it.
behind closed doors
2In private, secretly
In secret, where other people cannot see or know what happens.
- The deal was made behind closed doors.
- They discussed the matter behind closed doors.
behind closed doors
3In private, secretly
Happening in private, where people cannot see or know about it.
- The deal was made behind closed doors.
- They met behind closed doors to discuss the plan.