close in
phr. v..phr. v.. to move closer to someone or something from all sides, often to catch or attack them.
phr. v.. to move towards a target from multiple directions, effectively reducing the distance or space available; often used in contexts of pursuit, weather, or darkness.
The police are closing in on the suspect.
As the sun set, the thick fog began to close in around the small mountain cabin.
The enemy forces were closing in from the north and south, leaving the battalion with no choice but to retreat through the narrow pass.
often followed by the preposition 'on' when a specific target or person is mentioned.
highlight the metaphorical use with 'darkness' or 'winter' to show how the phrase can describe a feeling of being trapped or surrounded by an environment.
The walls are closing in us.The walls are closing in on us.when an object follows the phrase, the preposition 'on' is usually required to connect the action to the target.