# close in on

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/close-in-on
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To enclose around; to tighten or shrink; to collapse.

## Examples

- The dark clouds close in on the small town.
- As the police cars close in on the suspect, he realizes he has nowhere left to run.
- The walls of the narrow valley seemed to close in on the weary travelers as the sun dipped below the jagged horizon.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.