Phrasal verb
close up
Meanings
To shut something completely, or to stop being open for business or access.
To close a gap, opening, or break so that it is sealed or no longer open.
To move closer together so there is less distance between people or things.
Definition
To close up means to shut or become shut, often so that an opening is no longer available.
To close up means to shut something completely or for something to stop being open. It is often used for shops, offices, roads, or buildings when they stop operating or cannot be entered. It can also describe an opening, gap, or wound becoming closed. In conversation, it commonly appears with times, reasons, or instructions.
Examples
- I need to close up the café at nine tonight.
- You should close up the window before the rain starts.
- He closed up his laptop and stood to leave the meeting room.
- She closed up the gap in the fence with a new wooden plank.
- They closed up the distance between them as the crowd got louder.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse close up (shut) with close to (near) and say "close up to" when they mean "close to."
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.