close down
phr. v..phr. v.. to stop operating a business or factory forever.
phr. v.. to cease operations permanently, typically in reference to a commercial or industrial enterprise.
The old cinema had to close down last month.
Many small shops on the high street are closing down because of high rents.
The government decided to close down the coal mines despite fierce opposition from the local community and trade unions.
- Particles
- down
- Separability
- optional
- Pattern
- close + (object) + down
can be used with or without a direct object.
contrast with 'shut down', which can be temporary (like a computer), whereas 'close down' usually implies a permanent end to the business.
The shop was closed down by the owner.The owner closed the shop down.while both are grammatically correct, learners often forget that this phrasal verb is optional in its separability when using a noun object.