kloʊz ʌp
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- close
- Particle:
- up
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "close up" mean?
- To close and lock a building at the end of the day
- To move closer together
- To heal and seal (wound)
- To stop being open or communicative
Examples
- We close up the shop at 6 PM every day.
- The wound closed up nicely after a few days.
- Close up the gap between you and the person in front.
- She closed up when I asked about her past.
- Time to close up; we're done for the day.
How to use it
'Close-up' (noun/adjective) refers to a photograph or shot taken from very near. 'Close up shop' means to stop doing business, either temporarily or permanently.
Word order
For closing a building: intransitive or separable. For wounds/gaps: intransitive. For becoming uncommunicative: intransitive.
Similar expressions
lock up
heal
gather
become reserved
Opposites
open up
spread out
open
Related phrasal verbs
- close down
To stop operating permanently (business, factory)
- close off
To block or seal an entrance or passage
- close in
To approach and surround from all sides
- get up
To rise from bed after sleeping
- turn up
To increase the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- give up
To stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult
Use it in a practice answer
Try "close up" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.