# close in

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/close-in
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to approach or surround

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to move closer to someone or something from all sides, especially to catch them.

For teachers: to approach a target from multiple directions or to narrow the distance in a pursuit, often implying an impending capture or confrontation.

- The police began to close in on the suspect as he reached the end of the street.
- As the search party began to close in on the remote cabin, the fugitive realised that his window for escape had finally shut.

Usage: often used with the preposition 'on' to indicate the target.

### 2. visibility or space decreasing

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

when things like darkness, fog, or walls seem to move nearer and limit your space.

For teachers: to gradually surround or envelop, typically used of environmental factors like darkness, weather, or metaphorical pressures.

- The thick fog started to close in, making it hard to see the path ahead.
- With the deadline approaching and the budget exhausted, the manager felt the walls closing in on his department's future.

Usage: often used with 'around' or 'on'.

### 3. to enclose

phrasal verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to shut something inside a space or to cover it completely.

For teachers: to enclose or shut in a person or object within a confined space.

- They decided to close in the porch with glass windows to keep the heat inside.
- The architect proposed to close in the courtyard with a retractable glass roof to allow for year-round use regardless of the weather.

Usage: transitive use; requires a direct object.

## Examples

- 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.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: 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.

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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.