Phrasal verb
close in upon
Meanings
To move in from different directions and surround someone or something, making escape or movement difficult.
To begin to affect someone more strongly as an event, deadline, fear, or problem approaches and feels more pressing.
Definition
To gradually surround someone or something so that escape or movement becomes harder.
“Close in upon” means to move nearer from different sides and surround someone or something. It often suggests pressure increasing and space or options becoming limited. You can use it for physical situations, like people or darkness surrounding a place, and also for abstract situations, like deadlines or worries approaching.
Examples
- As the fog began to close in upon us, we turned back toward the village.
- The reporters started to close in upon her as she left the theater.
- With the deadline closing in upon me, I stopped checking my phone and focused.
- The wolves seemed to close in upon the campsite in the dim light.
Common mistake
Learners often say “close in to someone” when they mean surrounding pressure; use “close in upon” (or “close in on”) instead.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.