# close the face

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/close-the-face
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To turn the face of the bat inwards, in order to hit the ball to the leg side.

## Examples

- The batsman closed the face to guide the ball fine.
- Seeing the fielders on the off side, she closed the face and flicked it to square leg.
- With the field stacked against him, the veteran batsman calmly closed the face at the last moment, deflecting the rising delivery through midwicket with surgical precision.

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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.