8 English Phrasal Verbs With 'CLOSE'

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8 phrasal verbs with 'CLOSE'

Close down

1. Close a shop, branch or business permanently
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: The banks have CLOSED DOWN a lot of branches in villages over the last few years.
2. Stop an opponent being a challenge
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: He CLOSED the player DOWN and stopped him being a threat.

Close in

1. Surround, envelop
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The fog CLOSED IN and we couldn't see two yards in front of us.
2. Approach, get near
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The police were CLOSING IN so they decided to try to make a break.

Close in on

1. Get near someone
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The police were CLOSING IN ON the gang.

Close in upon

1. Get near someone
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The police were CLOSING IN UPON the gang.

Close off

1. Block a place to stop people entering
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: The police CLOSED the road OFF after the explosion.

Close on

1. Get nearer
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: She is CLOSING ON the leader of the race.

Close out

1. Bring something to an end
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: We CLOSED OUT the meeting early and went home.
2. Close or stop using
   (Separable [optional] | American English)
   
   » Example: She CLOSED OUT the account and changed to another bank.
3. Ignore, exclude
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: They always CLOSE me OUT of their plans.

Close up

1. Completely close something
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: They CLOSE UP the building after everyone has left.
2. Join together
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The leaves CLOSE UP when it rains.
3. Move closer together
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: They CLOSED UP when they saw the gang coming towards them.

Take our Exercise on 'CLOSE'