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The word ‘close‘ can mean many different things. As a verb, the meaning is to bring to an end and cover an opening.
For example:
- The ticket office closes at 6 pm. (bring to an end)
- Please close the window, it’s freezing. (cover an opening)
Close is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle is closed.
FUN FACT – Close is a homograph. This means there is another word in English with a different meaning that is spelt the same as it (tricky, huh?). The verb ‘to close’ is pronounced with a voiced ‘s’.
phrasal verbs with close
Let’s learn the meaning of the phrasal verbs that contain the verb ‘close’ in more detail and see some examples in use.
close down
meaning – a shop or business permanently shuts
example – If we don’t make £2000 this month, we’ll have to close down.
close in
meaning – surround or get closer to something
example – United are closing in, they are bound to get a goal soon.
close in on
meaning – surround or get closer to something
example – The police are closing in on the killer, he will be behind bars very soon.
close in upon
meaning – surround or get closer to something
example – The police are closing in upon the killer, he will be behind bars very soon.
close off
meaning – shut something so people can’t enter
example – We have to get off the beach, they are closing it off because of the shark attack.
close on
meaning – get nearer to someone or something
example – The net is closing on the arsonist; he’ll be caught soon.
close out
meaning – end/finish something or ignore someone
example – Stop closing me out and tell me what’s going on in that brain of yours.
close up
meaning – shut at the end of a time frame or join together
example – He closed up the folder and submitted it to the teacher.
Here’s a video you can watch too.
Phrasal Verbs with ‘Close’ activity
further study
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